MG BIG BAND SERIES

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 2 Alto Sax/Flutes, 2 Tenor Sax/Clarinets, Bari Sax/Clarinet, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns + Solo Trumpet, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6
Style - ECM (Straight 8’s)
Solos - Trumpet, Guitar

This is an autobiographical work, inspired by a personal experience of mine from May 2014 to June 2019 (or 1,858 days). Each section of the tune represents a passing year. After the 7/4 introduction, the tune settles in 4/4 with the solo trumpet playing through the melody and open solo section. This is followed by a modulating shout chorus which leads into a guitar solo. The following section returns to 7/4 and gradually builds to a climax, before a return to 4/4 for the final reprise of the melody.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns + Flugelhorn Solo, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6 (opt. Eb6)
Style - Bossa Nova
Solos - Flugelhorn Feature

This flugelhorn feature is a tender Bossa in-dispersed with a few moments of tension. It features a 64-bar melody with optional tacets for the soloist in the bridge and final 'A' sections. After the solo section, there is a 16 bar section featuring just horns and drums, with trombones taking on the responsibility of comping. This is followed by a emphatic saxophone and brass shout section before a final 'A' section from the soloist, leading into a short cadenza.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6
Style - Straight 8’s
Solos - Tenor Sax/Piano

As the title suggests, there is a contemplative tone that is underlying throughout this tune. The feeling of anxiety and uneasiness, along with the hope of a brighter future is illustrated by the alternating major and minor chords at the beginnings of sections. Solos are open for tenor sax and piano.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns + Flugelhorn Solo, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Db6
Style - Ballad (Straight 8’s)
Solos - Flugelhorn Feature

I wrote this ballad to commemorate 10 years since since my dear mothers passing. The introduction and flugelhorn/piano verse of this tune reference Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, her favourite piece of music. After the verse, a straight 8's ballad feel is established. This continues into the solo section which briefly moves to a double time-feel before returning to the original feel for the shout chorus. This section features a wall of sound from the brass, and challenging triplet and semi-quaver figures in the saxes. This leads into a soaring moment for the soloist on trumpet, before returning to flugelhorn for the final statement.

Composed by Django Rowe
Arranged by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Bb6
Style - Straight 8’s
Solos - Tenor Sax/Trumpet

Composed by Django Rowe, this arrangment was commissioned by the Mike Stewart Big Band in 2017. This tune features a driving straight 8's groove and edgy melody. Solos optional for tenor sax and trumpet.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Db6
Style - Funk
Solos - Alto Sax/Trumpet/Trombone, Drums

A funky tune with a deep groove, and solo space for alto sax, trumpet, and trombone. Solos are followed by a layered build section which releases into an extended drum solo, before a powerful final refrain from the band.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Soprano Lead), 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert D6 (Opt. G)
Style - Latin
Solos - Soprano Sax/Trumpet, Drums

This tune features a groovy montuno pattern with a complementing melody. Solo changes written for soprano sax and trumpet. Following solos there is a 32-bar drum breakdown, in between band hits. This is followed by a energetic shout chorus, and a final reprise of the melody.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Soprano Lead), 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Eb6 (Opt. G6)
Style - Latin
Solos - Soprano Sax/Trumpet/Trombone, Guitar, Drums

Written back in my high school days, this tune was inspired by the music of 'The Cat Empire'. After a vibrato-heavy trumpet intro, the groove and melody are established. This is followed by a half-time feel bridge, leading back into the regular feel 'A' section. Solos are optional for trumpet/soprano/trombone. Following a sax soli and band shout section, there is an extended guitar solo over gradually layering background figures. This leads into a climax and band dropout, before a final uproarious refrain.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert F6
Style - Ballad (Straight 8’s)
Solos - Alto Sax Feature

This alto sax feature is a dark, evocative tune. After the melody and solo section, there a is big demanding shout section, tailed off with a short epilogue by the alto sax.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6 (Opt. F6)
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Alto Sax/Tenor Sax, Trumpet/Trombone, Drums

A swingin' angular blues head with an interlude, this chart is a great opportunity to let your soloists shine. Optional solos for each instrument group, with high energy full band shout sections in-between.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 2 Alto Sax/Flutes, 2 Tenor Sax/Clarinets, Bari Sax, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Hard - Trumpet Range Concert E6
Style - ECM (Straight 8’s)
Solos - Trombone, Guitar

A challenging fusion tune, inspired by the music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, as well as Bob Curnow's arrangements of their works. Beginning in 9/4, the tune settles into 10/8 for the melody and trombone solo. This is followed by a return to 9/4 for a grungy guitar solo, before returning to 10/8 for a climactic finale.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Soprano Lead), 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Hard - Trumpet Range Concert D6 (Opt. G6)
Style - Samba
Solos - Soprano Sax/Trumpet

This tune (meaning Samba of Joy) is an exhilarating samba full of brightness and energy. It features an angular melody, and chord changes which your soloists (trumpet and soprano sax) will enjoy playing over. Solos are followed by a gradual build section which peaks with a huge 'high A' from the lead trumpet.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6
Style - Up Tempo Swing
Solos - Trombone, Alto Sax

This tune features a simple bop melody over some friendly chord changes, with solos for trombone and alto sax. It also features challenging sax and trumpet solis.

Composed by Django Rowe
Arranged by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets/Flugelhorns, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Bb6
Style - Ballad (Straight 8’s)
Solos - Alto Sax Feature

Composed by Django Rowe, this arrangement was commissioned for the Mike Stewart Big Band in 2017. It is a beautiful alto sax feature with a haunting melody accompanied by warm, lush chords.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Soprano Lead), 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert E6
Style - Latin
Solos - Tenor Sax/Trumpet, Drums, Piano

Dedicated to Mark Simeon Ferguson, this tune is heavily influenced by Ferg's writing and musical persona. The challenging 7/8 introduction is followed by a simple melody, accompanied by a driving montuno. Optional solos from tenor sax or trumpet, and an open percussion break. This is followed by an orchestrated shout section based on Ferg's solo on a very, very early incarnation of this tune. This leads into an open piano solo.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert C6
Style - Latin
Solos - Trumpet, Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Drums

A slightly silly tune dating back to my very early high school days. The title of this tune comes from a friend of mine misreading the title of Horace Silver's famous standard 'Song For My Father'. I would later assign the 'Panther' moniker to my adopted black cat 'Pivo'. The melody of this tune is a 64-bar AABA form, with Latin 'A' sections, and a funk bridge.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium/Hard - Trumpet Range Concert D6
Style - Up Tempo Swing
Solos - Alto Sax/Tenor Sax/Trumpet/Trombone, Drums

This tune is a good challenge for a experienced high school ensemble. It begins with a Basie-esque intro, before settling into a rhythm changes form. Solos are open to all sections, followed by a challenging sax soli accompanied by just bass. After a short drum break, brass have a half-chorus shout section, before a eight bar bass solo, and a final 'A' section of the head.

*Audio Demo is a tone higher than written

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Hard - Trumpet Range Concert Eb6
Style - Up Tempo Swing
Solos - Alto Sax, Piano

This tune was inspired by the comedic musical genius of Simon Fransman, and his Coltrane Changes reharmonisation of Katy Perry's 'Roar'. The title comes from a comment left by a user in response to another comment that stated 'this sounds like s***'

This chart is very difficult throughout, featuring a nasty bop head over tricky, fast moving changes. There is solo space for alto sax, and piano, as well as a sax soli, and a full band trading-4's shout section with drums. There are also a few not-so-subtle Katy Perry and Coltrane reference throughout... Enjoy!

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Hard - Trumpet Range Concert F6
Style - Funk
Solos - Tenor Sax

This smooth funk banger feels like it has been plucked right out from the 70's. It begins with a Rhodes intro, followed by a introverted verse that leads into a pumping chorus. A long solo section will allow your tenor player to let out their inner smooth-jazz monster. A big shout section leads to a epic climax.