Big Band Charts by Don Ellis
Don Ellis
Before his untimely death in 1978 at the young age of 44, Don Ellis was one of the most creative and innovative jazz musicians of all time. In a career span of less than 25 years, Don Ellis distinguished himself as a trumpeter, drummer, composer, arranger, recording artist, author, music critic and music educator. He is best remembered for his work as a big band leader. His orchestra, which was active from 1966-78, and in varying configurations featured a string section, brass sextet and a woodwind quintet complete with oboe and bassoon, achieved enormous appeal at a time when the taste for big band music was fading. He won a Grammy Award for his 1972 title composition of the movie "The French Connection", and his band received 2 Grammy nominations for their performances on "Live At Fillmore" and "Soaring". New rhythmic devices ultimately became the Don Ellis trademark. His compositions frequently displayed time signatures such as 5/4, 7/4, 13/8 and 9/2. Hank Levy, composer of some of the charts offered here and one of Don’s "co-conspirators" in the time revolution, once quipped that "Yes, Don and I do write music in 4/4, we just subdivide it 5-1!" The compositions offered here are the actual charts, in standard big band instrumentation, offered by Ellis Music Enterprises in the 1970s.
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Big Band Charts by Don Ellis
Parting
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Final AnalysisDon Ellis’ own concert opener. In a march/rock 9/4 with a hilarious "Beethoven" ending! Price – $19.95 |
The Magic Bus Ate My Dougnut
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The Great Divide
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ThetisComposed by Hank Levy A hip sounding arrangement in 4/4. A cross between a samba and rock beat. PRICE – $19.95 |
The Blues
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