So What Miles Davis Little Big Band Arrangement

Description

So What Miles Davis Little Big Band Arrangement

So What Miles Davis little big band arrangement by Bill Fulton brings the famous jazz composition to a compact four-horn ensemble. Written for alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section, this arrangement offers a practical way to perform the Miles Davis classic with a smaller band.

The chart takes a straightforward approach to the composition while giving the ensemble room to develop its own personality. Open solo sections provide opportunities for improvisation, while a written shout chorus brings the horns together for a strong ensemble statement.

A Compact Little Big Band Setting

This arrangement uses four horns rather than a full traditional big band. Alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, and trombone create the horn section, supported by guitar, piano or keyboard, bass, and drums. As a result, the instrumentation works well for groups that want a substantial horn sound without assembling a full saxophone, trumpet, and trombone section.

The rhythm section also gives the arrangement a flexible foundation. In addition, the open solos allow individual musicians to contribute their own improvisational ideas before the ensemble returns to the written material.

So What Arrangement with Open Solos and Shout Chorus

The So What Miles Davis little big band arrangement combines open improvisation with arranged ensemble writing. Therefore, it can provide both solo and section opportunities within a single performance. The shout chorus adds contrast to the open solo passages and gives the four horns a featured ensemble moment.

“So What” originally appeared as the opening track of Miles Davis’s landmark 1959 album Kind of Blue. For additional background on the composition and original recording, visit the official Miles Davis website.

Instrumentation

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

This instrumentation makes the chart suitable for a compact jazz ensemble, rehearsal group, or performing little big band. Moreover, directors can feature improvisers while still retaining arranged horn writing and a clearly defined ensemble structure.

More Little Big Band Arrangements

If you are building a program for a smaller horn ensemble, explore more little big band arrangements and charts by Bill Fulton. The collection includes jazz, vocal, and contemporary arrangements designed for compact horn sections and rhythm section.

Genre: Jazz

Instrumentation:

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

Genre: jazz