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"How High the Moon"

GENERAL INFORMATION
Title How high the moon
ComposerW. Lewis (arr: F.G.J. Absil)
Instrum.Jazz Big Band
Date1999 (manuscript: 1988)
Duration4'00
StyleUp-tempo swing
KeyG
Meter4/4
Measures213
Tempo228 BPM
Grade3

FULL INSTRUMENTATION

A musical score excerpt
  • Alto Saxophone 1-2, Tenor Saxophone 1-2, Baritone Saxophone;
  • Trumpet 1-2-3-4, Trombone 1-2-3, Bass Trombone;
  • Jazz Guitar, Piano, Double Bass, Drums.

NOTES FOR THE PERFORMER

How high the moon is a frequently played jazz standard in the be-bop idiom. Here we find an up-tempo arrangement for jazz big band. The first statement of the theme has the saxophone section playing in unison; the second statement is in multi-part voicing with brass accents. A hemiola transition brings us to the ad lib solo sections (for piano and tenor saxophone), adding orchestral backgrounds as we go along. The piece concludes with an ensemble chorus and a number of drum solo breaks.