Big Blueser

Stretch was commissioned by the Western Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble (Charlottesville, Va.), and was written to introduce good high school or young college bands to the language utilized by writers such as Maria Schneider in the early 1990's (with a bit of Jim McNeely thrown in). The titles refers to the melody, which stretches the primary melodic interrval (a major second) into a phrase that emcompasses an octave plusa half step. Also, the end of the piece utilizes a vamp that stretches a standard samba phrase into 4 and one-half bars. Both tenor saxophonists get improvisational space over two contrasting timbral and textural orchestrations, over slowly changing qualities of tonic chord. The language is tonal throughout, the texture often pointallistic (alternating with ensemble unison lines against drum solo fills on brushes) over a medoim fast swing groove that becomes a samba at the end. Lead trumpet is rarely above the staff, going up to one written B. AATTB, 5 trumpets, 5 trombones, piano, bass drums optional flute and vibes. Medium level.