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Bart Marantz NPR/KERA Jazz Education Interview    Click below to listen to the interview  Click below to read the article 
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 Reviews "In A Sentimental Mood" Words and Music By: Duke Ellington - Irving Mills & Manny Kurtz Arranged By: Jerry Nowak Instrumentation: Big Band featuring Vocal Publisher: Hal Leonard Corp. Grade: 31/2 Ballad Tempo = 56 $40.00 Jerry Nowak has taken the Duke Ellington Classic, “In A Sentimental Mood” and arranged it for big band and vocal with the high school ensemble in mind. A good middle school big band would enjoy the challenge, but the director of this level must have an advanced rhythm section who can hold the ballad style in focus for a vocalist, who in turn must understand the challenges of the ballad style. This chart is written for and features a vocal soloist on the melody and includes a piano solo. If your band has other soloists, including a vocalist, who improvises, then it is very easy to open up the solo section at letter 45 to accommodate those who wish to experience the magic of Duke Ellington. The backgrounds are well-written and all ensemble writing compliments the vocal soloist throughout. Your trumpet and trombone section will need cup mutes as this texture is essential to capture the colors Jerry Nowak has in mind at letter 21 and again on the repeat before the coda takes the ensemble to a very tasteful ending which will require harmon mutes for the trumpets. There is a need for more vocal/big band arrangements on the market and “In A Sentimental Mood” helps to meet this void. Top note for trumpet is written A above the staff. Bart Marantz
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