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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 "Play To Win" Written and Arranged By: Jeff Jarvis Instrumentation: Big Band Publisher: Kendor Music, Inc. Grade 3 1/2 Shuffle/Swing Tempo = 138 $40.00 Whether your ensemble is experienced or in the developmental stages, “Play To Win” is an effective alto feature scored for the medium level ensemble. Although this original piece places the alto in the spotlight, the rest of the band shares in the melodic material. Parts are well-articulated and the brass ranges are reasonable. Lead trumpet has a high D, lead trombone goes to F except for one Ab, which is crossed-cued in another part. There is a nice soli section just after the intro written for alto and cup-muted trumpet stating the melody with the rest of the band joining the in shortly after. Stylistically “Play To Win” alternates between a hard shuffle and a swing beat, employing both a “2” beat and a straight ahead “4” feel. Also written in this well-produced original are a few gospel-sounding turnarounds. Rhythm parts are notated with chord symbols provided. For best results try the written articulations and dynamic markings provided by Jeff Jarvis. These are written to support the soloists and not compete with them. Strive for a lighter feel during the “2” feel sections, really locking into the tempo when it moves into the “4” feel. An 8 measure repeated section at the coda finds the alto soloing over the band. This section can be opened up at the director’s discretion for other soloists. “Play To Win” is just that and should be part of your book this school year. Top note for trumpet is high D above the staff. Bart Marantz
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