Trad. Jazz "Nearer my God to Thee" inc. Cornet solo.
Bluesy "The Old Rugged Cross" inc. Flugel solo.
Calypso "How Great Thou Art" inc. Euphonium solo.
Finale "Just a closer walk with Thee" inc. jazzy Trombone solo.
The community gospel choir sound has become very popular in recent years. "Hot Gospel" is my attempt to capture this charismatic experience in a medley of well known sacred music. Each of the five songs chosen follows a similar format, a verse for full band followed by a solo. All solos are intended to sound like improvisation.
OPTIONAL CUTS This medley is nine minutes long. There could be various reasons for wanting to shorten it. There are five optional cuts, which in each case removes the solo section from each song. If you do all five cuts, the piece would last approximately four and a half minutes. Alternatively, you may wish to only remove some of the solos.
Now recorded on Stannington Brass Band's recent CD 'All That Brass'.
"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
"Can't Help Falling in Love"
"Wonder of You"
Whether you like Elvis or not, audiences will love this medley. Three of his well known ballads, which the audience can sing along to. Talking of singing, the middle section of the band get their chance too!
"Love Me Tender"
"Wooden Heart"
"Suspicious Minds"
Owing to the resounding success with both bands and audiences, and following several requests, I have produced this second medley. After the introduction, Love me Tender begins as a Flugel solo. When we go into Wooden Heart, it is the turn of the Horn to play it as a solo first time through. Suspicious Minds starts as a solo for Euphonium. The slow section is a Trombone solo, before it speeds up again for a Las Vegas style ending.
NOW ALSO AVAILABLE AS FULL BAND ARRANGEMENT (not a horn duet).
My band colleague, friend and baritone player, Eileen Ludlow, asked me on several occasions to arrange this well loved song as a baritone duet for her and Claire. So here is a birthday present for Eileen, and my contribution to an ever growing number of pieces featuring the long neglected baritone player!
The Timpani and Drum Kit parts will need good players. To get the best effect, a set of three timps is required, although an optional part for two timps is included. The timps and drums are coordinated, so the parts need to be played as written. For those bands with more than two percussionists, there is a third part for Tambourine, which, although optional, would certainly add to the overall effect. Although the Timp & Drum parts are technically demanding, the remaider of the parts are within the capability of most players.
I have arranged this memorable song for solo trombone and brass band. It begins in a Latin style, then moves to the famous Jazz Big Band style. Good key players make the band parts playable by most bands - as long as they like to 'swing'! The trombone part is not easy, on the other hand, neither is it aimed at the 'select few' virtuoso players. Impressive stuff though, with 'written' sections that sound like improvisation.
