Backrow Politics: 3rd Trombone
By Gordon Goodwin
Grade: 5 (Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0017123_TN3
$3.00
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Description
At last, a showcase for the trumpet section from Gordon Goodwin! The groove is straight eighths with a funky feel. Solo space is provided for trumpets 1, 2, 3, 4, but can be tailored as desired. Lead trumpet range is to written high G with an optional A. This is a fun chart and will be a kick for the band and audience. (6:54) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Backrow Politics: 3rd Trombone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Gordon Goodwin Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
78
SKU:
00-PC-0017123_TN3
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin began composing at five years old, transcribing complete works from his imagination rather than fragments or single melodic ideas. By thirteen, he had already written his first big band chart, Hang Loose, demonstrating the compositional maturity that would define his career. His talents caught the attention of film and television producers, earning him three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations for work on films including Bad Boys II, Con Air, Remember the Titans, and Star Trek: Nemesis.
Beyond Hollywood, Goodwin has written for and performed alongside major artists including Christina Aguilera, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Brian McKnight. Since 2000, he has led Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, one of Los Angeles's premier jazz ensembles, while conducting symphony orchestras across North America and Europe. His discography includes multiple Grammy-nominated albums, establishing him as a composer and arranger whose work spans film scoring, orchestral writing, and big band jazz.
Why we love this
Goodwin built his reputation on writing that serves every section without sacrificing ensemble coherence, and this chart proves why trumpet players love performing his music. The funky straight-eighths groove and customizable solo space give you room to showcase individual voices while keeping the chart driving and energetic for the full band. At Grade 5, it's sophisticated enough to challenge advanced students but structured so that soloists can shine without the piece falling apart.
What to expect
Funky and propulsive, built on a straight-eighths pulse that pulls the ensemble forward with attitude. The chart has the swagger of a working big band, with enough space for individual personality without losing the collective groove that makes the piece swing.
Who it's for
Advanced jazz ensemble directors seeking a high-energy, section-feature vehicle that works equally well for festival performance and in-house concerts. Trumpet players at the Grade 5 level who can handle upper register writing and want to stretch their solo chops in a groove-based setting.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the straight-eighths feel with the rhythm section before adding horns; this groove lives or dies on rhythmic precision, not rushing or dragging.
- Shape each trumpet solo as a conversation with the band, not a performance against it; Goodwin's voicings are designed to support and frame the solo voice.
- Balance lead trumpet projection with clarity from the section; the written high G (and optional A) needs to cut, but not at the expense of ensemble blend.
- Rehearse the optional high A separately with your lead player well in advance; confirm range comfort and intonation security before finalizing the arrangement.
How to use it
Program this as a crowd-pleasing festival selection or as the centerpiece of a jazz ensemble concert featuring your best trumpet players. The 6:54 length gives it weight on a concert while remaining approachable for younger or less experienced ensembles wanting an aspirational model of section writing.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing straight-eighths feels in jazz context
- Balancing solo projection with section cohesion
- Upper register facility and intonation control on trumpet
- Comping and supportive ensemble playing behind featured soloists
- Maintaining groove and pocket under rhythmic changes