Description
Larry Clark certainly knows how to write for young musicians, and this easy chart is the perfect vehicle for teaching the invaluable Swing style to a beginning Jazz group. Lots of tutti ensemble figures, well-notated rhythm section parts, and a killer shout chorus make this chart a standout!
Program Notes
As the title implies, this chart should swing hard! This easy chart for younger Jazz Ensembles is loosely based on the famous chord changes to the Gershwin classic “I Got Rhythm”. The chord progression is not exactly like the Gershwin song, with the changes happening at a slower pace, except on the bridge.
It felt right for a chart called “Swingology” to be based on something classic. Swing is the essence of the Jazz idiom and paramount for students to learn how to swing! The form is the classic 32-bar song form of AABA. Students will encounter many Jazz tunes with this timeless form. This can serve as a good introduction to the form. The solo section only uses the first eight measures of the chord changes to make it easier for students learning how to improvise. This chart also works with reduced instrumentation of three Saxes, two Trumpets and one Trombone plus rhythm section, and also includes some non-Jazz Ensemble instrumentation to make this chart more versatile for budding Jazz programs. Just have fun and swing it!
It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.
