Ziggy Stardust
Ziggy Stardust Big Band Commission
This Ziggy Stardust big band commission gave arranger Bill Fulton the opportunity to bring David Bowie’s iconic rock song into a completely different musical setting. Written for big band with vocal, the arrangement combines the character of the original song with the power, color, and flexibility of a full jazz ensemble.
Rather than simply adding horns to a rock arrangement, Fulton approached the project as a complete big band treatment. The brass and saxophone sections provide new colors while supporting the familiar melody and vocal line. Meanwhile, the rhythm section preserves the energy that makes the song immediately recognizable.
David Bowie Reimagined for Big Band
David Bowie released “Ziggy Stardust” on the landmark 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The song became closely associated with Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona and remains one of the best-known recordings from that period.
The Ziggy Stardust big band commission takes that rock foundation and expands it for a large jazz ensemble. As a result, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones can contribute both rhythmic impact and harmonic depth. The arrangement also gives the ensemble opportunities to interact with the vocal instead of functioning only as accompaniment.
Big Band with Vocal Arrangement
The arrangement features a vocalist backed by a traditional big band sound. Strong ensemble writing helps retain the dramatic personality of the song. At the same time, contrasting textures keep the chart moving and give the horn sections an active role.
For more music in this format, visit Bill Fulton’s big band arrangements and charts. You can also explore his arrangements, compositions, and commissions for examples of other custom projects.
About the Original Song
“Ziggy Stardust” was written and recorded by David Bowie. Its distinctive guitar-driven sound provides an unusual starting point for big band arranging. Consequently, adapting the song requires more than transferring the original parts to horns. The arranger must preserve the identity of the song while creating material that sounds natural for a jazz orchestra.
This version uses the resources of the big band to broaden the musical palette. Brass can add weight and intensity, while saxophones provide additional movement and color. In addition, the rhythm section connects the original rock character with the new ensemble setting.
Custom Big Band Arranging by Bill Fulton
Bill Fulton creates custom arrangements for professional performers, recording projects, concerts, and other ensembles. His work includes little big band arrangements, traditional big band charts, orchestral writing, and chamber music.
The Ziggy Stardust project demonstrates how a familiar song can move into a new ensemble without losing its essential personality. Instead of imitating the original recording, the arrangement uses the instrumentation and dynamic range of a big band to create a fresh interpretation.
For information about commissioning an arrangement, visit Bill Fulton’s contact page. Additional information about David Bowie, his recordings, and his career is available through the official David Bowie website.
Year: 2017Job Category: Arranger
Title: Ziggy Stardust
Ensemble: big band
Client: Bob Noval
Description: Event at Knights of Columbus Palmdale CA
Get arrangement: link to arrangement (pending)
