Description
WE WISH YOU A JAZZY CHRISTMAS
About WE WISH YOU A JAZZY CHRISTMAS
This big band chart is scored in the style of the 1930-40’s Swing Era big band of Glenn Miller.
Style
This arrangement has been written in a similar manner to Miller’s chief arrangers, Bill Finegan and Jerry Gray but avoids technically complex passages or techniques so that it is easily accessible and playable by an intermediate-level big band/stage band.
The chart will still sound great played by a higher level of big band but has been scored so that the brass ranges are more comfortable for less experienced players.
Format
The arrangement begins with the saxes stating the melody in unison followed a 2 part fugue played by the brass with the saxes stating the melody.
The ensemble takes the chorus and is then followed by a short close-positioned harmonised sax team verse. A tension-filled chromatic build up leads to short solos played by alto sax 1 and trombone 1. The band then plays a short version of the chorus swapping between a traditional brass band and big band.
This leads to the final shout chorus with the band blazing right through the famous melody to the end of the chart.
The lead trumpet part has been limited to the high range of one D3 and even then, this is led to via a chromatic passage (with an ossia for less experienced players).
The lead trombone’s high range has been limited to A3. The 4th trombone part has been scored with ossia to cater for either a tenor trombone or bass trombone.
The lead alto sax and 1st Trombone parts have short written solos (with chord changes for improvisation) and the piano part is scored but also has chord changes for players that like to vamp.
The charts is scored for a standard big band line-up with no reed doubles required:
2 x alto saxes, 2 x tenor saxes & baritone sax. 4 x Bb trumpets, 4 x tenor trombones, piano, guitar, bass and drums.
Other Andy Firth Big Band Arrangements:
