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Rick Lawn
Composer • Author • Performer • Educator
Big Band Charts
grade level 3: medium
Double Agent
A high energy thriller working both sides of the street. Streetwise by day and suave and sophisticated by night. This chart covers all the bases from the opening rock guitar riff to the sax soli quote of Miles Davis” solo on "So What" and back again. A great showcase for the entire band. Solos for tenor sax (swing), drums (rock), and guitar (rock god status) as the chart drives to its energetic conclusion. It was selected as an JW Peppers Editors Choice. Grade 3
This chart is available from Baker's Jazz and More.
Double Agent
Active Measures
Active Measures is a classic straight ahead swing chart with bebop overtones. Cup mutes are featured throughout the brass and instantly place the listener “back in the day”. Solo space is provided for piano, trumpet, and tenor sax, and a surprise coda appears just before the ending. Trumpet range is to written high D. Trombone range is to Ab.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
This chart is available from Baker's Jazz and More
Active Measures
Aria
As the title suggests, Aria is a beautiful melodic feature for alto sax. In addition to the haunting tune, Rick Lawn has fashioned subtle supportive ensemble figures that weave a rich fabric of accompaniment and include flugelhorns and cup mutes in the trumpet section. The improvised solo needs only two scales - concert D harmonic minor and Eb major - and the tempo makes it even more accessible. An ensemble chorus follows the solo section and leads to a cadenza before leading to a slower, more dramatic close. Trumpet range is to High B. Trombone range is to G.
This Chart is availabel from Baker's Jazz and More.
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4 (alternate set of saxophone parts provided)
Aria
Lu's Blues
A dramatic and modern Thad Jones style take on an extended blues form makes for a challenging chart for everyone. Beginning with the opening glissando and punch, this chart announces itself in style. Muted trumpets take the melody and then hand it off to the saxes. A harmon mute trumpet solo leads to a trombone section soli (including the bass player). An interlude sets up the piano solo which is followed by a tenor sax solo. A recap of the bridge and melody leads to a recap of the intro before the ensemble builds to the final statement. A true tour de force that will showcase dynamics, style, technique, and musicianship.Trumpet to written Bb.
This chart is available from Baker's Jazz and More
Lu's Blues
A Little Minor Setback
This is a swinger in the Blue Note tradition and is based on an evolving minor blues progression. Just as the groove progresses from 2-beat swing to straight ahead 4, so does the harmonic progression which begins as a 16 bar extended minor blues. The chart builds to a solo send off for guitar, trombone or 2nd trumpet and the progression at this points has evolved to an altered blues style but now with a bridge. Backgrounds for the soloist can be introduced at will and the solo section can be opened up for multiple choruses. At this point the drummer could choose to use a shuffle feel. Audiences and musicians alike should enjoy this toe tapper.
Instrumentation: 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums
A Little Minor Setback
Sticks and Stones
Fusion style ala Freddie Hubbard circa. 1970s featuring trumpet and tenor. Electric piano works nice in this chart. Solo sections include a free section for the quintet that serves as the featured nucleus of this chart.​
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Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
(guitar is optional)
Sticks and Stones
Finders Keepers
Good ballads in any style are difficult to find and this contemporary funk groove is definitely a keeper. Alto sax is showcased in the popular David Sanborn tradition and a contrasting bossa nova solo section spotlights piano or guitar.
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Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
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Finders Keepers
Hymn For 9/11
An unusual chorale written for advancing big bands, this lush and harmonically satisfying ballad captures the somber, but optimistic mood that came over the world on that historic day. An improvised piano solo is included in this hauntingly beautiful work commemorating the unforgettable events of September 11th. All trumpets double on flugelhorn. Bucket or hat mutes in the trombones and scored for flute, 3 clarinets and bass clarinet though an alternate set of saxophone parts is provided (soprano in place of lead alto.​
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4 (alternate set of saxophone parts provided)
Hymn For 9/11
Loop 360
Scored for medium jazz bands, this hip shuffle by Rick Lawn resembles an extended minor blues. Highlights include modest brass ranges, written rhythm section parts, solos for trumpet, piano and guitar, and a terrific sax soli. An optional guitar chord chart by Jim Greeson is included.
Ths chart is availabel from iJazzMusic.com
Instrumentation: 5/4/4/4
Loop 360
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