Zero Hour Blues (VJCP500-FBB)
comp. & arr. by Russell Schmidt
$40.00 (USD)
 
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VJCP500-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: Zero Hour Blues is a chart for young jazz ensemble that serves as a great introduction to swing 8th note concepts. The Head In features alto and tenor saxes on the melody, with supporting elements coming from the remaining horns. As the piece progresses toward the improvised solo section, an ensemble unison passage (serving as a send-off) is great fun for the horns to play together. A call and response shout chorus between the brass and saxes leads to the Head Out. Recurring rhythms and short riffs abound throughout, reinforcing basic jazz phrasing concepts and helping the group learn how and where to place their swing 8th notes. Any member of the band can have the opportunity to improvise on this Bb blues chart.
 
Originally written in 2013 for the North Davis Jr. High School Jazz Ensemble (Clearfield, UT), which often rehearsed as the sun was only beginning to rise, Zero Hour Blues acknowledges the commitment shown by the many jazz ensemble students and their directors all over the country who get up for those crack-of-dawn rehearsals and make this music happen!
 
This big band composition 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.