When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (VJCP546-FBB)
comp. by Isaac Watts & Lowell Mason
with additional materials drawn from the English folk tune O Waly Waly
arr. by Tom Wolfe
$50.00 (USD)
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VJCP546-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: In a wonderfully creative arrangement from Tom Wolfe, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross finds life anew in a mesmerizing, modal jazz setting. The overall musical style, featuring a drone-like quality, feels reminiscent of late-career John Coltrane. (In fact, the arranger’s notes to the big band’s drummer encourage emulating the approach of Elvin Jones, the famed John Coltrane Quartet drummer.)
In crafting this chart, arranger Wolfe has conceived of a most unique pathway. Although a single group of lyrics are associated with the hymn (written by Isaac Watts, dating from the early 18th century), there are actually a number of different melodies to which the words have been set. The most familiar of these is Hamburg, composed by Lowell Mason, and the majority of the big band arrangement is built around this version of the hymn.
But another common version of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is set to the traditional English folk song O Waly Waly. And the arranger has cleverly chosen to highlight this other familiar tune at a climactic moment in the chart, one which features a stark melodic declaration from lead trumpet, with optional support from guitar and vibraphone. Such richness in creative vision truly makes this example of sacred jazz stand out.
In addition to the spotlight moment for lead trumpet, there is solo space for tenor saxophone and abundant opportunities for solo fills from the drum set. Ensembles and audiences alike are certain to find great resonance in Tom Wolfe’s remarkable version of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
This big band arrangement is of intermediate difficulty.
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When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
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