UNC Jazz Press Extra Credit - McNeely - Jazz Ensemble - Gr. 5

Composer: Jim McNeely
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Jazz Ensemble
Level: 5

This is a medium-tempo, even eighth-note piece with an unusual moving rondo form. A-B-C-X1-B-C-D-X2-C-D-E-X3-D-E-F-X4-E-X5-A. The first four "X" sections are solos over a II-V vamp (tenor 1, Trombone 2, Piano, and Trumpet 5). The last "X" represents the shout chorus. Five saxes, no doubles. 9 Brass. Trumpet Range: F#6

Jim McNeely, known for a number of years as jazz pianist with jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Phil Woods, Joe Henderson, David Liebman, and his own trio, the last few years have seen McNeely emerge as one of the preeminent jazz composer/arrangers on the scene today. Most recently, he rejoined the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra) as pianist and composer-in-residence. He is one of the primary arrangers for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and his work with the European bands such as the West German Radio Big Band (Cologne), the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, U.M.O. (Helsinki), and the Danish Radio Big Band (Copenhagen) have helped him win international acclaim. Jim is also the Associate Musical Director of the BMI Composers' Workshop. He is resident artist in jazz studies at New York University.