Saint Walter (VJCP510-FBB)
comp. by Russell Schmidt
arr. by Jueun Seok
$45.00 (USD)
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VJCP510-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: Saint Walter is a medium (or medium-up) tempo chart in a Calypso style. The Head In features the trombone section and (optional) baritone sax playing the melody, while upper saxophones and trumpets later join in with contrapuntal lines. Eventually, these disparate elements merge into a unified, tutti ensemble melodic statement. Solo space is given to Trombone II and, after a pedal point transition to swing feel, Trumpet II. An abbreviated shout chorus for the full ensemble is followed by the Head Out, once more as a Calypso.
Russell Schmidt has written Saint Walter to the chord progression of Sonny Rollins’ classic composition St. Thomas. (The title of the composition is drawn from Rollins’ full name at birth—Walter Theodore Rollins—although it should be mentioned that there was an actual Saint Walter as well: an 11th-century saint from Pontoise, France!)
What is particularly fantastic about Jueun Seok’s arrangement of Saint Walter is that she has managed to execute a “double homage”: While the composer is paying tribute to the work of Sonny Rollins with the contrafact, the arranger has managed to honor the work of Bill Holman and his remarkable arrangement of Rollins’ St. Thomas. It is a deft trick she has pulled off, and you will hear the unmistakable influence of Holman in the contrapuntal writing and the intertwining of different tonalities as you get farther into the piece.
This big band arrangement is of intermediate-to-advanced difficulty.
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Saint Walter
Invoicing
For any invoice-based transactions (required by district purchasing policies), please contact Russell Schmidt directly.