Customer Reviews

Inside the Score : A Detailed Analysis of 8 Classic Jazz Ensemble Charts, Book & CD Set (191P)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rayburn Wright analyzes charts by Sammy Nestico, Thad Jones, and Bob Brookmeyer in a very easy-to-follow format. Complete scores are included, and most analysis is done in concert key. Wright also includes interviews with each arranger, and asks all the right questions.

I can highly recommend this book and the accompanying CD. Lot's of solid, useful information for the intermediate/advanced arranger.

However, there were two problems:

1) The copy I received from Amazon was plastic spiral bound and collated wrongly. A big slug of pages was out of order. Not the end of the world but pretty annoying, especially when trying to follow along while listening to the CD. I suppose one could hassle with returning it for another copy, but I'd expect that if this one had collating errors, the entire production run likely does as well.

2) The very first printed chart by Sammy Nestico does not match the recorded performance. The recording is a full chorus short and seems to be either an earlier or later revised version of the chart in the book, having multiple instances of different figures and voicings than what's printed. Not a real big deal, as most of the chart remains about the same. However, this left me somewhat less than hopeful with the rest of the book, but listening through all eight charts, only this first one had any apparent mismatch with the score.

Otherwise, a valuable resource.

You learn big-band arranging by arranging and having your scores performed. The best way to do that is to join a big-band. It also helps to look at scores, but professional big-band scores by top-notch arrangers are not easily available. and that is what makes this book so valuable.

Also recommended: PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by JEFF BURNS.