Big Swing Face: Piano Accompaniment

Rich Sigler's arrangement captures the swagger and energy of the original Buddy Rich recording while making it accessible to younger ensembles. The written solos for tenor and trumpet 2 give featured players real musical material to sink their teeth into, and the dynamic writing creates plenty of opportunities to showcase your band's sound without requiring advanced technical facility.

A propulsive, straightforward swing with personality and attitude. The chart grooves at a comfortable mid-tempo pace and delivers the kind of brass-forward energy that energizes both players and audiences without demanding virtuosic chops.

Jazz ensemble directors working with Grade 2 groups who want accessible repertoire with genuine musical substance. This arrangement works for bands at the upper end of medium-easy playing, where students are ready for written solos and nuanced dynamics but don't yet have the technical demands of Grade 3 swing charts.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal. Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums) into the 154 BPM pocket before layering in horn voicings; a tight rhythmic foundation makes everything else cleaner.
• Shape the dynamic contrasts deliberately. The chart uses dynamics as a compositional tool, so resist the urge to flatten dynamics out at this grade level; use them to build intensity through sections.
• Give your tenor and trumpet 2 soloists advance notice and time to prepare. Written solos require careful balancing between the soloist and the ensemble, so feature them in rehearsal and help them find the right voice level early.

Program this as a crowd-pleasing opener or closer on a jazz concert, or use it as a festival selection where judges appreciate accessible arrangements that still demonstrate genuine arranging craft. At 4:17, it fits comfortably on most concert formats and gives newer ensemble members a chance to experience the satisfaction of playing a recognizable, well-known chart.

• Reading and executing swing articulation across all sections
• Balancing ensemble dynamics to feature soloists
• Maintaining consistent tempo and groove in a mid-tempo swing context
• Interpreting written jazz solos with appropriate phrasing and feel