Buddy's Blues

Jessika Smith's "Buddy’s Blues" is a character piece in the old-school big band style. The melody of the tune is made up of simply, catchy riffs while  the brass captivate the audience with surprisingly abrupt articulations.

Solo sections are written for piano and tenor sax 2, although the chart can easily be opened up for more solos. Lead trumpet is featured in this tune both in written parts and short, Maynard Ferguson-like, improvisatory interjections. These lead trumpet solo parts can be removed for performance by younger ensembles, and the tune will still sound wonderful! Buddy’s Blues is a simple chart that will swing hard no matter what.

Included: PDF digital downloads of full transposed score, all parts, and reference mp3.

• Level: College

• 5 saxes/4 trumpets/4 trombones/guitar, piano, bass, drums.

• Solo Sections for: piano, tenor sax 2 (with option to open up for more soloists)

• Short (and optional) improvisatory moments for lead trumpet

• Highest note for lead trumpet = Concert E6

• Highest note for lead trombone = Concert A4