Five O’Clock Shadow little big band by Curt Berg

Description

Curt Berg’s “Five O’Clock Shadow” is a contemporary straight-eighths latin original tune, expertly composed and arranged for little big band. The parts (no score) are available for purchase, allowing you to recreate the composition and practice your arranging skills. Get this must-have piece for your repertoire today!

Five O’Clock Shadow is a little big band arrangement by Curt Berg that brings the depth and energy of large-ensemble jazz writing to a more compact instrumentation. This little big band arrangement Five O’Clock Shadow offers a full ensemble sound while remaining practical for groups working with fewer horn players.

Little Big Band Arrangement Five O’Clock Shadow

Curt Berg’s writing makes effective use of the available instrumental colors. Throughout the chart, the horn parts work together to create strong ensemble passages, contrasting textures, and clearly defined musical lines. Meanwhile, the rhythm section provides the foundation needed to keep the arrangement moving forward.

Because of its reduced instrumentation, the chart can be a useful choice for ensembles that want the impact of a traditional big band without requiring a full complement of saxophones, trumpets, and trombones. However, the smaller instrumentation does not mean a smaller musical effect. Instead, careful voicing allows the individual players to contribute directly to the character of the arrangement.

A Curt Berg Little Big Band Chart

Curt Berg is an accomplished composer, arranger, orchestrator, and trombone player whose work spans jazz, commercial music, and orchestral writing. In Five O’Clock Shadow, his arranging approach combines ensemble clarity with the flexibility of a compact jazz group. As a result, the chart can work well for concerts, jazz programs, rehearsals, and other live performance settings.

Explore More Little Big Band Arrangements

If you are looking for additional music for reduced jazz ensemble, explore the little big band arrangements and charts available from Bill Fulton Music. These arrangements are designed for musicians who want substantial ensemble writing with instrumentation that is more manageable than a conventional big band.

You can also browse the complete Bill Fulton Music catalog for additional big band, little big band, orchestral, chamber, and other arrangements and compositions.

About Little Big Band Jazz Writing

Little big band instrumentation provides arrangers with an interesting middle ground between a small jazz group and a traditional big band. Consequently, each horn has an important role in defining the harmony, counterpoint, and ensemble sound. The format can produce surprisingly rich textures while requiring fewer musicians.

For additional background on jazz and its development, visit the Smithsonian Jazz collection. You can also explore educational resources from Jazz at Lincoln Center for more information about jazz performance, history, and education.

Five O’Clock Shadow by Curt Berg

Five O’Clock Shadow demonstrates how a compact horn section can still deliver convincing ensemble power, color, and contrast. Moreover, the arrangement gives each musician a meaningful role within the overall texture. For ensembles seeking a distinctive little big band chart, this arrangement provides an opportunity to perform sophisticated jazz writing without assembling a full-size big band.

Instrumentation:

• Alto sax
• Tenor sax
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Guitar
• Piano/Keyboard
• Bass
• Drums

Genre: jazz