Spinning Wheel little big band with vocal arrangement by Bill Fulton

Description

Spinning Wheel jazz arrangement by Bill Fulton gives the Blood, Sweat & Tears classic a fresh setting for female vocal and little big band. Rather than simply reproducing the familiar original, this chart recasts the song as a jazz waltz. As a result, it offers singers and ensembles a distinctive new approach to a well-known tune.

Spinning Wheel Jazz Arrangement for Little Big Band

This arrangement uses a compact four-horn section with alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, and trombone. Guitar, piano or keyboard, bass, and drums complete the rhythm section. Therefore, the instrumentation delivers much of the impact of a larger jazz ensemble while remaining practical for groups with fewer horn players.

The Spinning Wheel jazz arrangement also features a female vocal part. The horn writing supports the singer while giving the ensemble an important role in the overall sound. In addition, the jazz-waltz treatment creates a different rhythmic character from the version most listeners know.

A Different Take on the Blood, Sweat & Tears Classic

Blood, Sweat & Tears became known for combining jazz-influenced horn writing with rock and popular music. Their recording of “Spinning Wheel” became one of the band’s signature songs. You can learn more about the group and its musical history at the official Blood, Sweat & Tears website.

Bill Fulton’s arrangement takes that horn-driven tradition in another direction. The three-beat jazz-waltz feel changes the song’s character while retaining its recognizable melodic identity. Consequently, the chart can provide an effective change of pace in a concert, club set, or vocal jazz program.

Instrumentation for the Spinning Wheel Jazz Arrangement

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

This four-horn instrumentation fits Bill Fulton’s Little Big Band arrangements, which are designed for ensembles using three to six horns. Players and directors looking for additional repertoire can explore that collection for more jazz, pop, and vocal arrangements.

Jazz Waltz Arrangement with Vocal

The Spinning Wheel jazz arrangement works especially well for ensembles that want familiar material presented from an unexpected musical angle. Its jazz-waltz concept, compact horn section, and featured vocal create a sound that stands apart from a conventional cover. At the same time, the instrumentation makes the chart accessible to working little big bands that want substantial horn writing without assembling a full big band.

Instrumentation:

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

Genre: jazz waltz