Compositions

A New Day

A symphonic work written for combined full orchestra and a big band.  With a playing time of about 15 minutes, A New Day explores many styles, themes, and moods - tips of the hat to cinematic music with modern jazz musings, world percussion jams, swing, chaos, a sax featurette, vibraphone solos and doublings, featured tenor sax and electric bass solos, along with numerous smaller solos and features for winds, strings, brass and even some vocal doublings.

Related Links:

• A New Day - OSU Symphony Orchestra with Max Planck Big Band (mp3 audio)
• A New Day - Condensed Score (Conductor)

Väsen-Dance

A folk tune scored for Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Trumpet, Bass Clarinet, Drums, Piano/Guitar, and Bass.  Inspired by the band Väsen from Sweden, the piece flows in a fast 12/8 with some occasional odd meters.  It eventually transcends the folk and ventures into some funky territory to feature the guitarist and then into a short horn featurette.

Related Links:

• Väsen Dance Score Excerpt (pdf)

Down New Orleans Way

A cajun/zydeco inspired ditty, this chart plays well with both pro groups and younger ensembles. Features a New Orleans style 'shout' with a repeated solo section that can circulate as many times as necessary to feature any number of soloists or group solo turns.

Perfect for young Jazz Ensemble or Combo whether Middle School, High School or Pro group.

Related Links:

• Down New Orleans Way - smal combo jam (mp3 audio)

Heroic Music

Scored for Full Orchestra, this piece has been performed internationally (Go Canada!).

With a playing time of about 4 minutes, this score is especially well suited for a talented youth symphony, high school orchestra, college or even professional ensemble.

Themes include: Action, Love,  Chase, Suspense,  Victory. This is a hand written score and parts but the parts are nicely copied and very readable.

Related Links:

• Heroic Music (mp3 audio)
• Heroic Music Score Excerpt (pdf)

March of the Flower Children

A lyrical march for concert/symphonic band. Evocative of the great marches of the past, with some inventive twists and lush harmonic voicings, this chart is perfect for a good high school group, college, or even a community band.

Related Links:

• March of the Flower Children (mp3 audio excerpt)

Winter Festival

For brass quintet - a festive piece, melodic, lyrical and compositional. Makes a great addition to any brass quintet book. Programs nicely into a holiday concert, but can also be performed at the height of summer!

Written originally for the Valley Brass Quintet - many fond memories of our Sunday sessions with Marshall, Dave, Jim and Dwight.

Nice and Easy in Seattle

This chart for standard big band (5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpet, bass, piano, guitar, drums) and suitable for intermediate to advanced jazz ensembles, college, or solid high school groups.

This chart was scored for the film The Stranger By the Bay.  The music was used for the opening title credits and since the story of the film featured Seattle I named the cue appropriately.

Related Links:

• Nice and Easy In Seattle (mp3 audio)

Come My Way (Early Bird Version)

This tune was originally written for The Blowholes and adapted for middle school players or high school group.  A 1960's style blues with a funky edge, the chart features many solo opportunities.  Scored for Trumpet 1 and 2, Alto 1 and 2, Tenor 1 and 2, Trombone, Bass, Piano/Guitar, and Drums, the chart will sound complete with either a full (standard jazz group) or with fewer players, which this chart was scored for.

Related Links:

• Come My Way (mp3 audio) - Live Early Bird Jazz Band performance - Middle School!
• Come My Way (pdf score excerpt)

On Our Way

This is a memorable Jazz/Rock tune that features saxes and the entire ensemble throughout. Perfect for a middle school jazz band and/or a young high school group.

Playing time of about 6 minutes.  Ideal for young players who are 'on their way' musically!

Related Links:

• On Our Way - score rendition (mp3 audio)
• On OUr Way (pdf score excerpt)

Sissel's Hideaway

A very cool jazz/rock/latin/blues tune that dips into swing a bit.  Baritone and Tenor solos.  A cool rhythm section feel that will be easy for young players to lock into; Sax Soli section, full ensemble features, and much more!

Related Links:

• Sissel's Hideaway (mp3 audio) - Score Rendition
• Sissel's Hideaway (pdf score excerpt)

One Way Blues

A modern, jazzy blues tune perfect for a good middle school jazz band and/or a young high school group.  Playing time of about 6 minutes.

All the usual parts (Saxes, Trumpets, Trombones, Rhythm parts) and since it was originally scored for my Early Bird Jazz group you get extras:  Flutes 1-2, Violin, Clarinet, Alto Sax 1-2, Tenor Sax 1-2, Baritone Sax, Trumpets 1-3, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums.  This orchestration gives you a lot of flexibility.

Related Links:

• One Way Blues (mp3 audio) - Score Rendition
• One Way Blues (pdf score excerpt)

Thataway

A melodious and jazzy little modern shuffle tune written for a young, developing ensemble, this chart is well-suited for middle school jazz bands and/or a young high school group.

Scored for Trumpets 1, 2, 3, Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 & 2, Tenor Sax 1 & 2, Baritone Sax, Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar.  Additional transcribed parts can be made available, just ask!

The shuffle feel gives this tune a sophisticated and modern sound.  Once your players get to know the interplay of the lines they will dig in and have a great time.

Related Links:

• Thataway (mp3 audio) - Score Rendition with RB on Trumpet
• Thataway (pdf score excerpt)

Flap Jack

This is a straight-ahead modern swing tune with many inventive twists and turns. Very nice harmonies, lines and a cool chord progression for blowing over.

Parts: Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Bass, Guitar, Drums

This chart was originally scored for my septet, The Blowholes, but it will sound great with your group!

Related Links:

• Flap Jack (pdf score excerpt)

Friday the 13th

This particular chart evokes a 1920s or 1930's sound.  Spooky sounds meet spooky dancing flapper girls - at least that's how I always imagined it! This is one of my favorites - features just about everyone.

Scored for a septet: Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Tuba or Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• Friday the 13th (pdf score excerpt)

Frumpy

A funky and memorable tune that is a blast to play.  A rich arrangement with lots of neat featurettes and solo sections.

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• Frumpy (pdf score excerpt)

I Dream of Rain

This is a male vocal feature (scored for the Trumpet player, Rob Birdwell, of The Blowholes!) and has a nice Bossa Nova feel.  A sultry feel, there's an ache to this one - a good sort of ache though.

Scored for Trumpet (Male Lead Vocal), Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• I Dream of Rain (pdf score excerpt)
• I Dream of Rain - vocal demo excerpt (mp3 audio)

No Money Left

This tune features a vocal (Tenor/Male) who also plays Trumpet. This is an entertaining song and fun song - truly appropriate for the times!

Scored for Trumpet (Lead Vocal), Alto, Tenor Sax (doubling mostly on Clarinet), Trombone, Guitar, Tuba/Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• No Money Left (youtube clip)
• No Money Left (pdf score excerpt)

Swedish Beach Party

A fun to play swing/blues chart - the arrangement will feature just about everyone.  Has sort of a "jungle" swing feel with I'm partial too.

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass/Tuba, Drums.

Related Links:

• Swedish Beach Party (pdf score excerpt)
• Swedish Beach Party - live excerpt (youtube video)

That Is Not A Chew Toy

A modern lydian blues with teeth - swing chart with a bite!

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Related Links:

• That Is Not A Chew Toy (pdf score excerpt)

Weird Beauty

This is one of my more compositional swing numbers written for The Blowholes.  It's got a driving and edgy harmonic ring to it and the arrangement will program nicely into your set.

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Related Links:

• Weird Beauty (pdf score excerpt)

Come My Way

This is the orginal (professional/advanced) version of the tune written for The Blowholes.  A 1960's style blues with a funky edge, the chart features many solo opportunities.

Related Links:

• Come My Way (pdf score excerpt)

Grandma Was a Go-Go Dancer

A 1960's go-go flavored number that will make everyone move.  The arrangement is tight but also opens for solos.

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• Grandma Was a Go-Go Dancer (pdf score excerpt)

As Dreamers Do

A ballad feature for Trombone in a septet setting.  Kicks into latin middle section.

Scored for Trumpet, Alto, Tenor, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums.

Related Links:

• As Dreamers Do (pdf score excerpt)

Freeway Ska

Written especially for my own Early Bird Jazz Band group, this tune will be a favorite of your group too!

The tune has a catchy Ska feel which bridges the rock and jazz feels very nicely.

Scored for 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Full Sax Section, Full Rhythm Section, with optional Clarinet and Flute doubles.

Related Links:

• Freeway Ska - score rendition (mp3 audio)
• Freeway Ska - Score Excerpt (pdf)

A Jazzy Little Christmas

A jazzy medley of holiday favorites: Here Comes Santa Claus, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Jingle Bells.

Related Links:

• A Jazzy Little Christmas (mp3 excerpt)
• Violin 1 - Part Excerpt (pdf)
• Score Excerpt (pdf)