Neal Finn: Anspruchsvolle Noten

One of my older pieces I still get requests for. Funky 'pop-rock' tune featuring tenor 2 and trombone on the head. Middle section is a half time funk feel where the trombone soloist can go absolutely...

An extended feature for alto saxophone based on pretty ballad style melody, followed by a swing section where the alto leads the section through a difficult soli, and concluding with a fast jazz samba...

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...

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...

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...

A very lyrical jazz ballad featuring tenor. A bit of Kentonish flavor. Trumpet section needs some power.

Dirtiest, ugliest, greasiest 12/8 blues. Should make you think of K.C. in the '30's. Features trombone soloist and an alto solo. Shout chorus should wipe out back wall in your rehearsal room. Trumpet...

Contemporary rock piece in the spirit of Wayne Shorter's 'Condition Red' Brass chorale starts it off. Plenty of surprises. Long soprano sax solo with guitar solo.

Funky chart needs a lot of rhythmical precision and chops in the brass. Band shouts behind soloist, then trades fours with drummer. Altos and tenors double briefly. Baritone and drum solos. Recorded b...

An up-tempo, flag (pennant?) waving arrangement of an American classic. A 'Four Brothers' like sax soli will challenge your reed section. Open solos.

Composed by Paul Yonemura and arragned by Neal. A really happy jazz samba with a great (and challenging) set of changes. Don't let the key scare you (concert A major), this one lays great. A firey sho...

Jazz waltz with an 'All Blues' flavor. Some poly chords and 'dark' voicings give a mysterious feeling. Open for any soloist (all have changes).

Composed by Paul Yonemura and arranged by Neal. Dedicated to jazz drummer Jack Taylor. A bebop flavored tune that features a horn combo on the head. Ensemble chorus has some tricky rhythms and a sudde...

Commissioned by SW Missouri State Univ, Jerry Hoover, director. Up tempo closer based on classic Basie tune 'Jumpin' at the Woodside.' Some uneven phrases make it tricky. Sax soli and a wild shout cho...

The long awaited sequel to Sammy Nestico's classic 'Ya Gotta Try.' Up tempo opener. Piano solo starts it off. Solos for both tenors trading 16 bar phrases and ending up playing together. Lots of work...

Unusual modal tune with atypical phrase cycle. Melody has small 4-horn 'band within a band' concept. Solo section open for any soloist. Piece combines 'west-coast coll' subtleties with just good old b...

Super-funky chart that's a real crowd pleaser. Short funk solos from tenor 1, tenor 2, alto 2 interspersed around the head. Change of groove goes half-time for a trombone solo that builds. Tenor1 foll...

Commissioned by the late baritone saxophone master, Nick Brignola. A bebop style duet for baritone saxophone and trombone. Both get to blow on the changes and blow 'fours' at each other. Ensemble work...

Come on board the 'Starship Ellington' for a futuristic look at big band jazz. A three movement work that utilizes some unusual sounds and timbres.1) 'Beyond Conventional' A modal tune featuring ensem...

A 'git down' shoutin' blues in the style of Woody Herman's 'Greasy Sack Blues.' Some nice dynamic shadings contrast with a hot shout chorus and plenty of solo space. Has a laid back blues feel to it....

Contemporary modal piece with a Herbie Hancock flavor. A few meter changes (6/4 and 5/4) will keep you honest, although most of the piece is in four. Flugel/guitar or vibraphone play the head. Soprano...

A pretty bossa nova that features trumpet or trombone. Count like crazy, the interlude has some mixed meters. Challanging chord progression but not a long blowing chorus. A good high school level solo...

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...