Product Overview
“Escapade in Swing” is a Grade 4 concert band piece with a duration of about 3:45. Jazz swing style began in the United States in the 1930s. It was America's favorite popular music form from about 1935 to 1945. This piece is a tribute to that style.
“Escapade in Swing” begins in a moderate, laid-back feel with an ample sprinkling of “cool.” The piece then changes to a much faster “Lively, Driving Swing” tempo. A four-measure transition separates the coolness of the first part from the heat of the second part.
The second part includes 2-measure written solos for clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and euphonium. Some of these solos are cued in other instruments. Directors can use discretion in assigning the solos: Solo passages can be played as written or ad-libbed, and each written solo can be assigned as a section soli.
“Escapade in Swing” provides ample opportunities to teach lessons in jazz style, jazz notation and techniques, maintaining a steady tempo, intonation, soli and ensemble playing, and improvisation. Be sure to begin and maintain (don't rush!) the initial tempo of M.M.=108. Establishing this tempo best ensures pleasing contrast with the faster section, beginning at measure 32.
This exciting piece makes an excellent concert closer, and it will be well-received by toe-tapping players and by toetapping audiences.
Relight this piece's sizzle with an encore! Strike up a searing finish by taking it from measure 78 with the repeat!
