Years ago, I had the opportunity to ask John La Barbera for some big band arranging advice over a beer in Louisville, KY. John’s arrangements, as many of you will know, have been recorded and performed by Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, the Count Basie Orchestra, and many others. His advice…
I was commissioned to write a big band chart for Martin Saunders‘ Jazz 1 ensemble at Marshall University and said I’d have it to him by the beginning of the spring semester. Now that Christmas has come and gone, I figure it’s time to roll up my sleeves and get this new piece of…
From my family to yours… Merry Christmas! Click on the photo or link to view our festive video. https://youtu.be/qOppbKFyzRc
I always said that when it came time for my kids to choose school band instruments, I would steer them towards the ones where there is a shortage of players, less competition, and scholarship dollars if they were to continue on to study music at the university level (trombone, double…
This week I have been feeling a bit like this character in the recent Geico commercial, who emerges from living under a rock. For the past couple of weeks I have been more or less “unplugged” and in seclusion, trying to complete a big band commission for the Westchester Jazz…