Blues for Big Ears - Mark Nightingale

Blues for Big Ears is one of Mark Nightingales' Easy Jazzy Tudes, one of Warwick Music's bestselling publications. The band arrangement came about as a result of a stroke of inspiration. After teaching the piece to pupils the idea to arrange it for band was formed. The solo in the middle can be read, or if you have a budding player who likes to improvise feature them. The quavers throughout should not be swung! The Tubas and instruments playing the bass part, should aim for a light sound, and try to imitate the sound of a double bass playing pizziccato. As there are easy parts attached, band directors can include their youngest players, so they don't feel left out. If you have a good drummer, get him to improvise during the fills, rather than read the notated part.