“A Fleeting Moment” is a beautiful original bossa nova with a melody line that features soprano and guitar. Woodwind doubles for alto 1 on soprano sax and bari sax on bass clarinet (alternate part provided for bari sax) Extended solo space is provided for guitar and soprano-each with their own choruses, ending with a trading section that fades back to the re-statement of the melody.
Just Another Bossa Nova-Score
“Just Another Bossa Nova” features melody statements by alto saxophone and Flugelhorn. These instruments are joined by tenors and trombones on a beautiful counter line on the second statement of the melody. Solo space is provided for alto and Flugel but can be opened up for others.
Downward Spiral-Score
“Downward Spiral” was written to simulate the fear of crashing in an airplane. This dark and intense chart opens with a slow, conducted version of the bass line, harmonized across the band. The line gradually speeds up into the melody. Solo space for tenor and guitar on modal changes. The tenor solo has written backgrounds and guitar has cued background lines. Solos are followed by a shout section and the original melody, which winds down, simulating the plane returning to the ground.
Oasis-Score
This medium tempo straight eighth note tune features a distinctive Middle-Eastern flavor, using hand drumming in combination with standard drum set technique. The form is AABA with a bridge that features changing meter, giving a challenge to both the ensemble and soloist. Despite the meter changes, the chart is simple enough to appeal to bands at a variety of levels. Solo space is given to alto 1 and trumpet 4 in the score, but with minimal backgrounds and very approachable changes, the solos could be opened up to just about anyone in the band.
Pitter Pat-Score
“Pitter Pat” is a fascinating original tune in a 7/4 half time funk shuffle groove (written as pairs of 4/4 and ¾ bars), set off by B sections in a straight ahead swing style. The tune kicks off with solo space for your guitarist that can be opened up. The solo builds with backgrounds and eventually comes to a screeching halt before kicking into the melody. Your trumpet soloist can stretch out on a lengthy solo in the middle the chart. The whole band is featured on a gradually building shout section that morphs into an exciting drum solo punctuated by ensemble hits.
Spider-Score
“Spider” is a fun minor key tune in a two-beat style featuring a funky melody in trombones and tenors that your players will love. Solo changes are written in the second bone and fourth trumpet, but approachable chord changes and flexible backgrounds would allow for a number of solo possibilities. Saxes are featured on a soli between the solos and drums are featured in the transition sections. The tune ends with a layered section that builds to an exciting conclusion.
Strange Princess-Score
This tune features a modern, ECM-style even eighth note groove. Soprano sax is substituted for alto 1. The melody is simple, but features interesting dissonances based on altered dominants. Long solos are provided for the soprano and trumpet, giving your soloists a chance to stretch out on the altered dominants. Following the solos is an exciting and somewhat extended shout section for the whole band. Approachable ranges in the brass with the lead trumpet range extending to D6. Chart ends with a free-form improvised duet between trumpet and soprano.
Terra Incognito-Score
“Terra Incognito” is a medium tempo ECM groove that features the jazz piano soloist in your ensemble. The piece starts with an unaccompanied piano cadenza leading into the tune itself. Soprano sax sub for alto 1 and flugel for trumpet 2. After the melody statement is a lengthy piano solo with challenging but approachable chord changes. The backgrounds in the solo lead to a short but exciting shout section, then the piano solo returns as a transition back to the melody.
The Kitty Crazies-Score
Anyone who has ever owned a cat will recognize “The Kitty Crazies”. “The Kitty Crazies” is an AABA tune with 6 bars A sections in a 4/4, 4/4, 5/4, 4/4, 4/4, 5/4 pattern. B sections are straight ahead swing in 4/4. Drums are featured on the opening, DC and in the 5/4 bars on the first statement of the melody. Solos are written for alto sax and bone 1 with solo breaks on the 5/4 bars of the first chorus for each soloist
Shimmer-orchestra – Full Score
Commissioned and premiered by the Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra, “Shimmer” is a beautiful programmatic work for orchestra featuring improvised jazz tenor saxophone and drum set. In addition, “Shimmer” was chosen as a Finalist for the American Prize in Composition-Orchestral Division. This work deftly straddles the line between orchestral and jazz writing, using jazz harmonies and improvisation within the rich color palette of the full orchestra. The tenor player states the melody over the top of gradually increasing orchestration, leading into two choruses of improvisation. The drum part is entirely improvised, interacting with both the tenor soloist and the orchestra. This piece would make a beautiful addition to either a modern or traditional orchestral program.
Tina Claussen 