Funhouse

Funhouse was written by Bob Brookmeyer for an extended quartet engagement in 2004 at The Jazz Standard in New York City with Brad Shepik, Drew Gress, and John Hollenbeck. The piece has not been recorded in quintet form; this arrangement (which has been recorded by several university big bands) is based on a sketch score provided by Mr. Brookmeyer. The groove can best be described as Hollenbeckian hip hop against Brookmeyers's sui generis harmonic palate. Plenty of solo space is given to trumpet (extended stretches of tonic and altered dominant harmony) and trombone (planing chords over a tonic pedal and funky drums). The drums are also featured prominently interacting with simple figures and rhythmic punches in the horns and rhythm section. Lead trumpet has one F# punch and one sustained E. Instrumentation: SSTB (an optional alto sax 2 substitute part is included; bari has some optional bass clarinet doubling); 5 trumpets; 4 trombones; piano, guitar, bass, drums.