Cerebro Congelado: Eb Alto Sax Optional Solo
(Brain Freeze)
By Gordon Goodwin
Grade: 3.5 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0018018_AXSOLO
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
A Latin-pop original, that's kind of funky, targeted at the skilled high school level. It's played around 176 BPM with lead trumpet range to written high C. Sample solos are provided for all instruments and the Latin percussion part includes bongos, congas, cowbell, and shaker. Optional vibes, flute, F horn, and tuba. It's very hip!
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
106
SKU:
00-PC-0018018_AXSOLO
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin has been composing since childhood, writing complete works rather than fragments from the moment he could put pencil to paper. By thirteen, he had already completed his first big band arrangement, Hang Loose, signaling the arrival of a distinctive voice in jazz composition. His facility with orchestration and harmony caught the attention of film and television producers, leading to Emmy Awards and Grammy nominations for scoring films including Bad Boys II, Con Air, and Remember the Titans.
Goodwin's collaborative reach extends across multiple musical worlds. He has written for and performed with artists ranging from Christina Aguilera to Ray Charles, while conducting major symphony orchestras in cities including Atlanta, Dallas, and London. Since 2000, he has led Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, a Los Angeles-based ensemble that has established itself as a contemporary force in jazz, earning multiple Grammy nominations and pushing the boundaries of big band music into new sonic territories.
Why we love this
Goodwin writes for high school ensembles with the sophistication of someone who has scored major films and led world-class jazz groups. Cerebro Congelado balances accessibility with genuine musical substance, offering soloists a chance to stretch while keeping the ensemble foundation solid. The Latin-funk groove and optional instrumentation mean you can tailor it to your ensemble's strengths without compromising the arrangement's energy.
What to expect
Cerebro Congelado radiates the high-gloss energy of 1980s and 1990s pop production filtered through a jazz lens. The Latin-funk pulse drives forward with infectious swagger, while the optional vibes, flute, and horn colors add sophisticated texture beyond the core big band sound.
Who it's for
High school jazz ensembles with skilled players across the section chairs and a rhythm section comfortable with Latin feels. Directors seeking contest or festival repertoire that balances contemporary groove with compositional craft will find this arrangement speaks directly to student musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the Latin percussion section (bongos, congas, cowbell, shaker) into a unified groove during rehearsals before the full ensemble joins. The pocket sits ahead of the written beat, so isolate this layer first.
- Feature the lead trumpet soloist prominently in balance checks; the written range extends to high C, and this part carries the melodic weight during ensemble passages. Ensure the section supports without overshadowing.
- Study the provided sample solos as written blueprints, then encourage soloists to develop their own variations on the harmonic framework. These charts model phrasing and rhythmic sensibility rather than serving as scripts.
- At 176 BPM, the tempo is brisk but danceable. Conduct in two once the ensemble settles into the groove to maintain forward momentum without rushing.
How to use it
Program this on a jazz festival or spring concert where you want to showcase your ensemble's rhythmic sophistication and soloist talent. The contemporary Latin-pop idiom makes it an excellent centerpiece between more traditional swing standards and original compositions.
Skills your students will build
- Reading compound meters and syncopated rhythmic figures over a Latin clave foundation
- Playing authentic Latin percussion patterns (clave, tumao, and tumbao figures) with proper sticking and dynamics
- Trading and developing solo ideas over repeated harmonic structures within a funk-inflected feel
- Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining the forward groove of a funky Latin rhythm section
- Responding to the relaxed, conversational phrasing of film-influenced big band orchestration