Stacker (VJCP502-FBB)
comp. & arr. by Russell Schmidt
$40.00 (USD)
 
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.
 
VJCP502-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.), Trombone IV (opt.)
Guitar (opt.), Piano, Bass, Drums, Vibraphone (opt.)
 
Because this chart has been written for younger jazz ensemble, the optional Trombone IV part has not been specifically written for Bass Trombone, but is instead a more general (Tenor) Trombone part.
 
Description: A basic rock chart for young jazz ensemble, Stacker gets its title from the way that different groups of players enter or exit, with the overall musical effect changing every eight bars. While the Head In grows in complex­ity, the Head Out reverses the scheme. And each section of the band has a different phrase to repeat a set number of times, helping to create an ever-changing layering of melodic lines.
 
The piece makes extensive use of what might be termed “additive structures”, like you might see in the writing of composers as disparate as Charles Mingus (Hora Decubitus), Bob Mintzer (Latin Dance), and Maria Schneider (Bird Count). One advantage to using the technique here (in a chart for young jazz band) is that it creates music with wonderful sonic variety that doesn’t require each student learn countless melodies and rhythms.
 
The chart’s solo section is designed so that any of the horn players can have the chance to improvise. The piece is in D minor (concert) and taking a modal approach—having improvisers use D Dorian, concert—will work well throughout the solo section.
 
This big band arrangement is of beginning-to-intermediate 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.