| Description |
’Upswing’ was commissioned by the Calvert Hall College High School Jazz Orchestra (Brian Ecton, director).
This original tune is a contrafact on the harmonic progression of Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing. If the soloists (tenor, trumpet, vibes or guitar) are familiar with It Don’t Mean A Thing, they should do well with this. It’s in the same key (G minor).
This arrangement is characterized by roaring ensemble shouts and a sax soil that swings hard. It’s written in a Thad Jones-ish mold, so a band comfortable with his music will enjoy this (lead trumpet is written with solid high school players in mind, a few high D’s here and there, but nothing higher). Upswing ends with a big drum solo routine, making it an ideal closer.
The full score with midi playback can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/ikKybZaq0TE |
