Koonse / La Barbera / Warrington / Jenkins / Cunliffe

Koonse / La Barbera / Warrington / Jenkins / Cunliffe: Snowfall: A Jazz Compass Christmas Celebration

by C. Michael Bailey
January 5, 2007

Jazz Christmas recitals are tricky affairs and nominally follow a bell distribution when considering the variables of combo size compared to the arrangement expertise necessary to render a quality performance. Solo and duet formats offer the most freedom and exposure in performance, requiring only simpatico from those involved in the arrangement. The middle-sized combos (trios, quartets, quintets) merit great care in arranging holiday pieces, while big band and orchestral affairs are tacked down with arrangement. Poor medium-sized combo arrangements can ...