Please enjoy browsing my Big Band Compositions and Arrangements listed below. The charts are all written for 5 Saxes, 4 Trumpets (sometimes 5), 4 Trombones, 4 Rhythm (Pno/Gtr/Bass/Drums), and there is a variety of difficulties (easy, intermediate and advanced). If you’ve any questions, please contact me via email at nick.dewhurst@live.co.uk and I’ll be happy to let you know more information. I hope the charts bring something exciting and original to your Big Band’s current repertoire!
How to purchase
If you are interesting in purchasing any of the charts, please email me at nick.dewhurst@live.co.uk . Upon receipt of payment (which can be done either via bank transfer or PayPal), I will send you a PDF of the music including all the parts and score.
Aeropuerto
‘Aeropuerto’ is a steady-funk tune which features Trombone & Alto Sax Soloists. After the catchy main theme, there is plenty of space for solos, followed by a band soli. To finish there is a darker sounding section which allows for trading between the featured soloists. Difficulty level: Intermediate
Double Espresso
‘Double Espresso’ is designed to wake up the audience!! A huge unison riff at the start over a rocky/funk groove will transform your concert into a party! There’s plenty of musical interest with several key changes and different solo sections keeping it exciting for both the band and audience! Difficulty level: Advanced
Heatwave
This is a funky tune based around a riff in E Minor – great for guitar solos! The main melody is catchy, and the arrangement is simple, with the main emphasis being on a funky jam session full of improvised solos! This is a really fun tune, and a great one to let the band enjoy themselves with! Difficulty level: Easy/Intermediate
Minor Roast Up
This is a fierce and fiery jazz-rock fusion piece, taking inspiration from the likes of the Paris Jazz Big Band, and trumpeters such as Woody Shaw. The piece features a trade between a trumpet and tenor soloist, before moving onto an exciting chromatic soli, followed by a phrygian rock guitar solo at the end! Difficulty level: Advanced
Monk Funk
This is a Jazz rock/fusion piece which features a fast melody and a funky bridge section. There’s opportunities for solos from both Trumpet & Tenor Sax soloists. Difficulty level: Advanced
One for Dennis
This is a tune I originally wrote for a joint concert with my band and Trombonist Dennis Rollins. To suit Dennis’ style of playing, the tune is a steady funk/hip-hop groove, and features scoops in the melody, which sound great on the Trombone. There is an open solo section in the middle with plenty of ensemble writing to keep the band busy! Difficulty level: Intermediate
Satchurated
This tune was originally inspired by Joe Satriani. As a result there is an underlying rock groove, but with lots of jazz influence too in the melody and harmony. The melody starts in a major key but then develops to a minor variation, and the tune then takes more of a Latin twist. After an extended solo section, there’s a drum solo, followed by a big ending reprising the earlier major section of melody. Difficulty level: Advanced
Skyrocket
Featuring a New Orleans groove, this tune features a funky melody, followed by a large modal solo section with a swing feel, and also a fun soli section to split up the soloists. Difficulty level: Intermediate
Summer’s Gone Away
This is a reflective sounding piece with a melody and harmony that are inspired by some of Pat Metheny’s music. After the initial melody, there is an ensemble passage, followed by a trumpet solo. Towards the end of the chart the trumpet then trades solos with an Alto soloist too. Difficulty level: Intermediate
Turbocharger
Drum ‘n’ Bass meets Big Band. Led by Soprano Sax, this piece starts with a cool minimalistic texture build up intro, and then hits it with the Drum n Bass groove. To contrast the heavy hitting groove, there is a softer section, with some rich piano chords. Difficulty level: Intermediate/Advanced
Nick Dewhurst 