top of page
Rick Lawn
Composer • Author • Performer • Educator
10 Piece Charts
grade level 5: difficult
Piece of Silver
I’ve always been a fan of Horace Silver’s music, consistently brought to life by a band of the finest sidemen whether it was Tom Harrell and Bob Berg or Michael Brecker and his brother Randy. As the title suggests, this original is a tribute to Horace and is very reminiscent of his style. The 7/4 time signature makes the funky groove a little challenging, but the solo section is in 4/4. Recorded by Power of 10 on their Earth Tones album.
INSTRUMENTATION: alto,tenor, bari saxes; 2 trumpets & trombone; piano, vibes, guitar, bass and drums.
Piece of Silver
Hey, Gates
Dedicated to Lionel Hampton who Rick had the pleasure of playing with for 4 months, this straight ahead rhythm changes chart hints at Hamp’s signature tune “Flying Home.” Just like Lester Young often referred to everyone as Lady xxx, Hamp called everyone “Gates.” Two solo separate sections for vibes or piano and trumpet can be opened up for more soloists. The chart also briefly features drums in exchanges with the band. Alto doubles on flute and soprano and tenor sax doubles on soprano.
Instrumentation: alto dbl. sop. & fl; tenor dbl. sop.; bari; 2-tpts; bone; piano/vibes; guitar; bass; drums
No Audio Track Available
Giant Steps
Yes, believe it or not yet another take on “Giant Steps,” John Coltrane’s signature piece along with several others. This was the first completed in a trilogy tribute to Trane (check out Naima also available for 10 piece band). Lots of re-harmonizations, changing meters and challenging ensemble sections present rewarding moments for the band and audience. Solos are for guitar or piano, tenor sax and drums.
​
Instrumentation: alto, tenor, bari sax, 2 tpts, T-bone, piano, guitar, bass, drums
Giant Steps
Retrospect
This moody soprano sax feature also features your pianist. It is also available on this site as a full big band chart. Recorded by Power of Ten on their CD Earth Tones, it is predominantly a ballad in 3/4 & 9/8, its haunting and introspective qualities yield to a short double-time chorus that also serves as a surprise intro. Lush harmonies and woodwind/horn counter-lines abound. Sax doubles. Two French horn parts are optional and cued in the saxophones.
​
Instrumentation:alt dbl fl, tenor dbl sop., bari dbl bass clar., 2-trumpets dbl flugel, trombone, vibes (opt), guitar, piano, bass, drums
Retrospect
Eleven
Rhythmically speaking this chart is very challenging at first reading as would be expected of something that served as Gil Evans theme song in his latter years. Gil’s close relationship with Miles lasted for years after their landmark collaborations and this tune confirms it as it is the same as Miles’ Petits Machins (Little Stuff) from his Filles de Kilimanjaro recording. Bands will need a stout lead trumpet player and sturdy rhythm section to make this arrangement work. There is plenty of solo space for second trumpet and alto sax.
Instrumentation: Alto, Tenor, Baritone, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone & Rhythm
No Audio Track Available
You’re Under Arrest
This arrangement of John Scofield’s title track from the late Miles Davis Album is based losely on rhythm changes with a few twists and in a funky modern style. Gil Evans late style can be heard as influences in this very contemporary chart. Lots of solo flexability includes space for keyboard, guitar, alto and tenor saxophone.
Instrumentation: alto/soprano, tenor, bari sax, 2 tpts , T-bone, piano (synth preferred), guitar, bass, drums
No Audio Track Available
Hopscotch
One of my more recent compositions, this one is also available here for full big band for big band (5/4/4/4. This chart is a tour de force for baritone soloist and was written for the emerging talent Mark Allen who is featured on the Power of Ten Earth Tones CD. While the saxophone parts are challenging, brass parts are reasonable as are rhythm except for piano that has some difficult octave unison written solo lines.
​
Instrumentation: alto, tenor, bari, 2-trumpets, trombone, piano, vibes (opt.), guitar, bass & drums
Hopscotch
Naima
Another arrangement of this Coltrane classic, but in this not a ballad but an up tempo version. The chart begins with a free section that eludes to the tune before the tempo is established. Solos for 2nd trumpet and or tenor and drums. All things considered, a very different take on this classic Trane tune.
Instrumentation: Alto, Tenor, Baritone, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone & Rhythm and optional violin
No Audio Track Available
bottom of page