Test Pieces

COMBO TEST PIECE
ALL BLUES

Composed by Miles Davis.

All Blues is from one of the jazz world’s iconic albums – Kind of Blue. Encourage your students to listen to the whole album!

All Blues can be approached in many styles. Your combo may stay faithful to the original version or you can do your own interpretation – you are not required to play a direct copy of the original. It should only be used as a reference point.

All Blues has lyrics so could include a vocalist.

Original version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-488UORrfJ0

Vocal version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM6WLH777YE

Alternative version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acbG46Xo6zw

BIG BAND TEST PIECE
NILESOLOGY

Composed and Arranged by Bill Cunliffe

Nilesology is a fun, straight-ahead swing chart based on a Bb blues form.

The Nilesology chart involves students in basic elements of swing style, phrasing, drum setups and open solo sections with optional backgrounds.

If your school does not have complete sections of 5 x saxophones, 4 x trumpets and 4 x trombones it is playable by smaller combinations.

Your big band is free to arrange solos as you see fit.

Here is a recording of Nilesology

• The Big Band chart for Nilesology is available to download: https://www.billcunliffe.com/store/nilesology-big-band-chart
• Nilesologyis audio file available here