hueBlue (VJCP524-FBB)
comp. & arr. by Russell Schmidt
$45.00 (USD) [New Releases are currently $5.00 off!]
 
This product is available for download (in .pdf format) immediately after purchase. Please note that once payment for any VJC Publication download is received and the transaction completed, no refund or cancellation is possible.
 
VJCP524-FBB – Flexible Instrumentation Jazz Ensemble Chart, which has been written to sound complete with as few as 11 pieces or as many as a full (18-piece) big band. The instrumentation is as follows:
 
Alto Sax I, Alto Sax II, Tenor Sax I, Tenor Sax II (opt.), Baritone Sax (opt.)
Trumpet I, Trumpet II, Trumpet III, Trumpet IV (opt.)
Trombone I, Trombone II, Trombone III (opt.), Bass Trombone (IV) (opt.)
Guitar (opt.), Piano, Bass, Drums, Vibraphone (opt.)
 
Description: A slow, bluesy, bit of barrelhouse jazz from composer Russell Schmidt, hueBlue is a fantastic showcase for alto saxophone. Not quite a ballad but more of a slow swing piece, hueBlue leans heavily into its 12/8 rhythmic conception. Drawing influence from sources including Billy Strayhorn, Thad Jones, and Clare Fischer, this uniquely evocative composition is a great solo feature, slotting nicely in the middle of any festival set or concert program. 
 
The opening bar’s crescendo is a surprisingly important detail in getting things started, intended to (sonically) resemble entering a jazz club—and to imply that this tune was already playing before the listener arrives on the scene. The blues-drenched melody is first heard in a combo-like setting, with the alto sax soloist backed by piano, bass, and drums. Then the theme is restated with more of a chamber jazz (or little big band) approach; strongly independent lines combine to harmonize the melody, now found in the Trumpet II part. 
 
After a shout chorus-like sendoff, the alto sax soloist finds space to improvise, with backgrounds on a slow burn, gradually building behind the featured performer. The “head out” runs back the opening melody, but reversed: the chamber jazz treatment (voiced across sections, as before) is heard first, followed by the alto sax and rhythm trio setting. Ensemble horns reenter shortly thereafter to drive things toward the conclusion. The piano offers a final, Ellingtonesque contribution, drawing hueBlue to a close; encourage your pianist to hang over a smidge on the final release for best dramatic effect.
 
This big band arrangement is of intermediate-to-advanced difficulty.
 
While an excerpted audio sample is provided here at the VJC Store, complete recordings of many VJC Publications (including this one) can be found on the VJC YouTube page.
 
Please note: The VJC will never pursue payment of synchroni­zation rights from middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, community colleges, universities, all-state ensembles, church groups, or independent edu­cational programs for young people related to the posting of recorded performan­ces of this work on YouTube or other, similar sites (including social media platforms). While sharing the .pdf files is not permitted, sharing your musical performance online is.
 
All proceeds from sales of VJC Publications go directly to fund the educational programs of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.