Dorian Blue: Brass Quintet Score & Parts

Gassi writes jazz charts that actually make sense for brass players still developing their improvisation chops. The pairing of blues and dorian tonality here creates harmonic interest without sacrificing clarity, and the written-out solos for second trumpet and trombone give students a scaffold to understand jazz phrasing and articulation while keeping the piece performance-ready from rehearsal one.

A groovy, approachable dive into Latin jazz territory that balances contemporary flavors with accessible harmonic writing. The piece moves from a colorful dorian-blues blend into a relaxed swing section that sits naturally under the fingers and sounds confident without demanding virtuosity.

Medium-level brass quintets ready to tackle straightforward jazz arranging with defined harmonic content. This works well for groups that have solid fundamentals and basic jazz articulation but aren't yet comfortable with open improvisation; the written solos remove that barrier while still teaching authentic jazz language.

• Lock the rhythm section sound (first trumpet and trombone provide the harmonic foundation) before layering in the other voices; this prevents the middle solos from losing their context.
• Encourage the trumpet soloist on second part to approach the flugel horn part with a warmer, rounder tone than standard trumpet tone; the horn's darker character shifts the ensemble's timbre noticeably.
• Balance the dorian section carefully so the blues elements don't overshadow the modal color; resist the urge to overstate the blues phrasing.
• Keep the swing feel in the middle section relaxed and behind the beat slightly; rushing this section undermines the laid-back character Gassi builds.

Program this as a standalone jazz feature during a concert that mixes classical and contemporary brass work, or pair it with another Gassi piece from his jazz series to create a cohesive modern section. The optional drumset part opens doors for collaboration with the percussion section and makes the piece flexible whether you have a jazz drummer available or not.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing within a written-out solo structure
• Reading and voicing modal harmony (dorian) alongside blues changes
• Latin jazz rhythmic feel and coordination across the quintet
• Balancing harmonic foundation while supporting solo lines