Changes Over Time: The Evolution of Jazz Arranging

by Fred Sturm

Changes Over Time: The Evolution of Jazz Arranging is conceived to illustrate, through comparative case studies, the dramatic development of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, orchestrational, and structural variation in jazz arranging from the 1920s to the present. A broad category of compositions that have each inspired numerous jazz arrangements was established, and the arrangements associated with each of the original works were examined to determine the level of quality, the span of jazz history represented, and the number of renditions created by historically significant jazz arrangers, including Don Redman, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, and Clare Fischer. 

The case studies were narrowed to 35 arrangements of three classic jazz compositions and one American popular standard song: Jelly "Roll" Morton’s King Porter Stomp, Don Redman’s Chant of the Weed, Gerald Marks’ and Seymour Simon’s All of Me, and Billy Strayhorn’s Take The 'A' Train.

Scores and/or parts representing nine decades were supplied by living arrangers, borrowed from collections, reconstructed from sketches, or transcribed from recordings. Four contemporary masters were ultimately commissioned to create new arrangements of four selected compositions.

Evanescence

Compositions by Maria Schneider

Edited by Fred Sturm

Features the 9 original Maria Schneider compositions recorded on Evanescence, the first CD released by the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra. Complete scores for large jazz ensemble, introductory text by the editor, and an interview with Maria Schneider by Fred Sturm.

303 pages.

Featured scores:

Wyrgly

Evanescence

Gumba Blue

Some Circles

Green Piece

My Lament

Dance You Monster To My Soft Song

Last Season