Neal Finn

Straight ahead swinger. It's just good old 'Basie' sound at it's best. Shout chorus absolutely ROARS. Trumpet, trombone solos.

Straight ahead swing with plenty of blowing space. Sax soli and brass a cappella leading to shout chorus.

Commisioned by Martin Murphy Middle School, Morgan Hill, California. Dedicated to one of the greatest entertainers, Sammy Davis Jr. Laid back swing feel muted brass ensemble with a flute lead on the m...

Written for the SCU Fresno 'Statesmen' Big Band. A laid back Basie 'groove' in the style of Ernie Wilkins. Full sounding sax soli. Trumpet or trombone solo, and Piano. Powerful shout chorus. Nothing b...

24 measure tune based on minor blues changes. Great for improv. Solo section is open for any soloist with interchangeable backgounds. Changes sound hip, but are easy to blow on. A relaxed swing feel w...

Commissioned by SW Missouri State Univ, Jerry Hoover, director. A medium tempo Basie style piece based on the changes to classic Basie tune 'Jive at Five.' Piano states the head, later saxophones. Sol...

Medium swing feel. Modal jazz tune loosely based in minor blues changes. Sounds different, but it's not hard to blow on. Changes included for everyone. Not rangy, lead trpt tops out at A above the sta...

Just a light, swinging jazz tune with a lot of ensemble writing that will require some rehearsal time for precision. But not a killer range wise. Lots of accents and rhythmic tricks that are unexpecte...

Commissioned by Fred Lange at Davis High School in California. A farewell to his graduating seniors. Piece in three sections. First is a choral in a rubato style (I've been told it sounds like 'Georgi...

It's a little wild & off the wall. Solo space for everyone. Straight ahead blues progression. Trbn quintet & Rhythm. Parts only.

A hard drivin' gospel shuffle that features alto saxophone. Need a soloist that can really get down and 'greasy' ala Sanborn. Ensemble builds a fire under the soloist. Great for showing off a great al...

Modal tune ala Coltrane's 'Impressions' features trombone section. Trombone 1 and 2 have improv sections. Trombone 1 blows 16 measure duet with drummer ala Coltrane/Elvin. Lead tpt tops out at C. Exci...

In memory of Maynard Ferguson. There will be a wealth of trumpet features dedicated to MF's memory published this year, so here is mine. It is a piece in two sections based on two different moods asso...

Commissioned by Long Beach Poly High School/Chris Stevens, Director. Relaxed jazz ballad groove written as a tribute to two wonderful jazz composers who passed away in 2008, Bob Florence and Neal Heft...

It's another medium tempo Basie style piece with a relaxed groove and a cool head played by saxophones with tenor lead. Good ensemble section ala Frank Foster and a hot shout chorus. Solos for piano a...

Modal jazz tune in a relaxed subtle groove. Interesting tone colors and shadings give it a 'West Coast-cool' flavor. Alto, trumpet or guitar solos.

A new approach to the Basie style. Melody features Flugelhorn lead over tight voiced saxes. A sax soli and powerful shout chorus bring it home. Guitar, tenor and Flugelhorn solos.

Extended 'Blues'. It's a 16 bar blues that features the trombones on the 'head'. Figures snap hard, but not high for the trumpets. Solos: Alto and piano, trumpet range high C#.

Commisioned by Martin Murphy Middle School, Morgan Hill, California. A beautiful jazz ballad featuring BARITONE SAXOPHONE. Interpreting the 12/8 rhythms will challenge you. Begins and ends in a quiet...

The relaxed Neal Hefti 'Lil' Darlin' groove makes a nice change on a jazz program. Not rangy or technically difficult. But takes a mature band to make it feel right. Solos: Piano, Tenor, Trumpet.

Dedicated to the spirit of jazz that never dies. A smooth jazz ballad that displays the ensemble's control on long sustained passages. Nice harmonic sequence with changes similar to 'Giant Steps' and...