Take The Wheel

Commissioned by Curtis Gaesser and the Folsom High School Jazz Ensemble, this composition is an extended concert piece with several substantial ensemble passages, an abundance of contrapuntal writing in the horns and plenty solo space for guitar/piano, tenor/trumpet, trombone and drums. Beginning with an atmospheric ostinato in the bass and sparse horn writing reminiscent of Wayne Shorter's sextet recordings from the mid-60's , this ten minute work takes all kinds of twists and turns before the final bar, including a quote from Johnny Cash and one of the weirder, wilder big band 'shout' sections on public record. (like I've always said: Who needs eight bars phrases when you can just as easily get there in seven?). If you like hanging with the McNeely/Schneider/Mendoza crowd, you'll be perfectly at home with this one. Requires an advanced rhythm section and advanced soloists all around. Alto II doubles flute, Bari Sax doubles bass clarinet (alternate parts provided for no doubles). Trpt. D5 (two octaves + shole step above middle C). Difficult.