SLJE Listening!
Armed Forces Medley
Poultry in Motion
Tygart Valley
Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies
This is a Duke Ellington Chart that has a CRAZY flute solo. It's a movement from a larger suite called the "New Orleans Suite." It's a bolero, which is a slow dance. Boleros can be either Spanish or Cuban. This particular bolero is most likely Cuban.
American Patrol
This recording is of Glenn Miller, probably in the 40s. Notice who clean and precise it is. It also has more "bounce" then, Mingus or Basie's music.
Better Get Hit In Your Soul
This is the original version of this tune, upon which our original is based. Listen for the raw energy in this tune! Imagine that you are in this band. What does it feel like to play? Hold that imagined feeling in your mind and play that way every time!
Cabeza De Queso
This tune will be one of our solo/ensemble tunes for sure. It was written by Fred Sturm who also wrote "Aim High" which you may recall from two years ago. It's a samba, but not your typical samba. It has a very modern jazz spin harmonically and melodically.
Fast Heat
Fast heat was written in the style of Count Basie (who you should be listening to!). It is a Bb Blues and will be our big multi-soloist tune in February (and beyond?). If you've never improvised before or need to build confidence, this is a great tune for you!
True North
We need something a bit more "chill" (as the kids like to say) for our concert in February. I'd like to switch one of the tunes for this one. We'll need to work it up fast!
Nutville (Arrangement)
Nutville (Original)
Midnight Voyage (Arrangement)
Midnight Voyage (Original)
This sound is what we are after. Intense and with drive, but dark calm. That last sentence contained two very different musical ideas which we need to somehow put together.
There are a multitude of excellent videos of the original group (Michael Brecker - Tenor, Pat Metheny - Guitar, Joey Calderazzo - Piano, Dave Holland - Bass, Jack DeJohnette - Drums), all of whom are giants on their instruments performing this and other tunes live. I would highly recommend checking them out!
Opus One
This particular recording goes slower than I'd like us to go. Listen for rhythms and pitch, but not for tempo.