Digital Download
23183630
Linus And Lucy
23183630
23183630
23183630
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Jazz Ensemble - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1727066
By The Vince Guaraldi Trio. By Vince Guaraldi. Arranged by Mike Dana. This edition: pdf. Christmas, Holiday, Jazz. 89 pages. Mike Dana Music #1289240. Published by Mike Dana Music (A0.1727066).“A Charlie Brown Christmas” has been a holiday favorite since its debut in 1965 (happy 60th anniversary!) and it’s impossible to imagine it without Vince Guaraldi’s score. It was a bit of a challenge to arrange this for the Jazz Composers Orchestra…it’s a classic, so how many liberties can/should I take? I hope I hit the right mix.
This arrangement features piano (of course) and also some tenor towards the end. Tenors 1 and 2 double on flute…if this is not an option for your band, hopefully you have a dedicated flute player. It’ll work without flutes if need be. The original grove is updated a little, and there’s a mambo section (of course) and a swing section (for the piano solo.) Oh…there’s a triangle “solo” (quarter note on beat 3, bar 65.) You’ll need a second triangle and a willing/able player (or the director?) for this, as the percussionist is occupied. Have some fun with this little bit of theater.
Ensemble: Not too many “gotchas” here. It might be wise to get the piano part to your pianist before the first run-through, as there are some reharms and key changes that I’ve added. You could also run through the mambo section…the saxes have a few tricky things. Attention to detail in dynamics is important throughout, so as not to bury the piano (esp. mm. 66 – 79, 113 - 122, 129 - 142.)
Rhythm Section: The piano part, as expected, is mostly notated. Best to stay pretty true to that, except of course for the solo section. The bass line often links with the piano LH, so be aware of that. Guitar is mostly color…don’t get in the way of the piano. Suggestions for the different drum grooves are here, but feel free to personalize. Same for the bass part.
Solo Section: Nothing tricky, but be mindful of ensemble dynamics behind the piano solo. Tenor has some soulful, simple solo fills near the end. Be aware of the “windows”, keep it simple, soulful (major pentatonic-y, add some b3s) and leave some space. All will be well.
I’m grateful to Paul Lucckesi for the opportunity to contribute this arrangement to the Jazz Composers Oorchestra’s 2025 holiday concert. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy rehearsing and performing this holiday favorite.
Mike Dana
Fall 2025.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.
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