Hey all!

Holiday concerts are almost upon us, and the community big band I direct is prepping for our holiday gig. I’m trying to find some ideas for a feature for our awesome piano player. He’s a great soloist, so I was hoping to get something arrangement that would be a good feature for him. We have a couple of arrangements of the standard Vince Guaraldi fare, but I was hoping for something that was either less common or different from standard Xmas repertoire. Doesn’t even have to be holiday related - our vocalist is doing a gorgeous arrangement of Skylark for our holiday gig.

Any ideas welcome! Thanks!

Hi there,

This is quite specific, but I was wondering if anyone has any info to share on the analysis of Millers Moonlight Serenade? I’m looking specifically for elements of music (form, harmony, chord structure, progressions, rhythm etc.). I’m doing a project on this and there really is very little info on the harmonic elements of the tune. Websites seem to focus on the songs historical/societal impact rather than the ins and outs of the structure. Any info would help!

Thanks.

https://youtu.be/-RiXWHQbvpY?si=MO9ybvTx3nZs6Zzr&t=1317
Track 7, "Stumped", 21:57, could someone please identify the song sampled in that track? It's the only sample in this video that's left unknown.
Posted here after mistakenly posting in r/oldtimemusic thinking it was literal 😅

Looking for tune recommendations - especially patriotic tunes - for a Veterans Day / USO style gig. Sure, we've got In The Mood and a Medley of Armed Forces themes...but what else would you recommend?

Hello All!

I'm desperately trying to find a digital version of the Bob Florence Westlake Album on CD or for digital download. I'm looking for something higher quality than the YouTube videos posted of it. Does anyone have the CD files they could share? The only CDs on line are going for almost $100 each and I can't pay that for the few tunes I need to study for a gig. Great stuff on that album. Hoping to keep the legacy of the music alive. Hope you're all well.

I'm looking for the arrangement of "Prelude to a Kiss" off of The Roar of '74. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

So I'm 20 years old and I'm the assistant director or 2nd director or however it's called of my school's big band. Maybe to most of you it's not a big deal (I know it ain't) but to me it is, so I always try to do my best and be the most professional I can. However, this week the main director is on your with a band and I'm in charge of rehearsals. I'm doing it by sections, and I can handle the horns, but I don't know what to do with the rhythm section: I don't have much real professional experience, nor do I have a very trained ear that could make me able to pick up wrong chords (I think so, I haven't done it before) like the main director does. So I'm actually scared to actually go in there and shame myself in front of my students and let them down. However, I'm thinking that maybe, because they're really really good, I could get away with it just being there, pretend I know something of what's happening, and guide the discipline aspect of the rehearsal and maybe that's enough so they can pull it off by themselves, and then when the main director comes back he fixes some more details. I know it's not the best solution but I just don't know what else to do, other than train myself to be able to do it right on other opportunities, and fake it till I make. PLEASE, let me know your opinions, thoughts, ideas and anything that could help me, I will be really thankful.

I went and seen the Glenn Miller orchestra and the JukeBox Saturday Night orchestra live, and man did I enjoy it!!!

I’d like to follow more bands or even crooners/jazz musicians who tour.

Any local orchestras or ballrooms that play the old stuff or old style please recommend as well. It doesn’t have to be big names. Always looking for an excuse to travel!

Thanks!

Trying to get some input on what a complete collection of vinyl big band records might be worth. This is a big collection, including a whole collection of 78s. This was my dad‘s personal collection, and all records are in very, very good shape some rare albums, along with many others. Just trying to see what interest there might be in this collection. I don’t have a number yet, but I’m working on counting them all up. Thank you, Chuck

I am composing a big band chart for a low-medium skill high school band. And I always hear about written solos, but do you need them for a high school group? Another thing, there is a section where someone takes 3 choruses for a solo, it doesn't seem right to write a solo, only for that solo to be played 3 times, the other solos are one chorus long so no other solo has that problem.

Hi all,

As the title says, I’m wondering what got all of you into big band. I myself a sax player and developed a love for jazz and big band through the course of learning my instrument. How many of you are musicians as well?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Tdstc4Cinx1K167iQrENP?si=HX5oRgwVT9OM-2AsJVA8nA&pt=31b7a0824a5056e9668576cf6c8715d1&pi=u-_RvbtXyyR8-Fh

Dro

I used to listen to the 40s station on SiriusXM, and loved it. I dropped my subscription to save money. There was a song with beautiful, intense harmony; maybe a male and female trio(?) and the gist of the song was he found out she'd been cheating with his cousin (I think) The harmonies were over the top beautiful; anyone able to help my aging memory?

Hey, I'm out scouting for new reportoire for my big band. We have an upcoming Thad Jones-concert, and I was wondering whether you have any recommendations or knowledge about any of Thad Jones music (or alternate versions) featuring vocals?

Hi everyone, I posted about this over a year ago on another account, but because life got in the way I wasn’t able to follow through.

However things are finally settling down, and I’m ready to make some moves.

I inherited a large collection of (mostly) big band era records. About 1k vinyl with some anthologies and special collections sprinkled in.

There are some relatively valuable records in the collection (having sold in the range of $30-$90 on eBay) such as the fantasia soundtrack, classic polka records, and a rare Wagner composition.

However most of the records are the ones you would expect such as Benny Goodman or Glenn Miller.

These records belonged to my grandfather who passed away a few years ago. They hold sentimental value but they take up the better part of an office space and they need a home.

People sent me some great ideas last time I posted here over a year ago. I apologize I didn’t follow through. This time it’s for real!

And if anyone is interested I can send you a file with photos of each and every record in the collection, or just a simple catalogue. It’s a piece of history and is interesting to look through.

Thanks again in advance for any tips or help that may be offered.

As the title suggests, I’m looking for impactful opening charts to set the gig off!

I’m talking about Gonna Fly Now by Maynard or Dancing Men by Buddy.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Medium standard

Thanks

My band director is choosing the tunes for an upcoming christmas concert right now and told us we can request tunes. They shouldn't be difficult. I'm a drummer so I'd love to play some cool drum parts, we also haven't played swing in a while.

Thanks!

I’m looking for good songs to recommend to my high school band director for us to play. As a Bari player, it would be awesome if they had good Bari parts, but that’s less important than the pieces just being good. They can also be any genre from swing to funk to Latin and pretty much any difficulty. Thanks for any input!

What are some Big Band tunes where the Saxes double on/switch to flute for the alto saxes, clarinet for the tenor saxes and bass clarinet for the baritone sax?

Hi, I’m looking for a specific Big Band arrangement of “Oh When the Saints” arranged by Anton Burger. The only version I can find is a concert band version but this is the Big Band arrangement I am looking for, anyone got any ideas?

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UXGFpUabeiU&feature=shared&feature=xapp_share