Gentle Rain: E-flat Alto Saxophone
Music by Luiz Bonfá / arr. Kris Berg
Grade: 4 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0017261_AX1
$3.00
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Description
A wonderful tune with a rich texture and voicings. This is a solo vehicle for C, B-flat, E-flat or bass clef instruments with optional parts included for flute or vibes. Bossa nova tempo is 126 BPM and lead trumpet range is to written B above the staff. This chart was also commercially recorded by arranger Kris Berg's Metroplexity Big Band, This Time/Last Year. 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, Gentle Rain: E-flat Alto Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Premier Jazz Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
92
SKU:
00-PC-0017261_AX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Luiz Bonfa
Luiz Bonfa (1922-2001) was a Brazilian composer and guitarist who helped define the sound of bossa nova in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His compositions, including the iconic "Manha de Carnaval" from the film Black Orpheus, bridged classical music training with the rhythmic sophistication and harmonic innovations of Brazilian popular music.
Bonfa's work remains central to jazz repertoire because of its melodic elegance and harmonic depth. His pieces reward both ensemble players and soloists with material that demands musicianship while remaining accessible to advancing musicians.
Why we love this
Kris Berg's arrangement captures the sophistication of Bonfa's composition while giving soloists genuine room to stretch. The optional flute and vibes parts add textural flexibility without complicating the core ensemble sound, and the Grade 4 level makes it achievable for serious student groups aiming for festival or contest performance.
What to expect
Gentle Rain settles into a warm, sophisticated groove rooted in bossa nova's easy swing. The rich voicings and optional textures create an intimate atmosphere that never rushes, even as soloists and sections interlock around the steady, infectious rhythm.
Who it's for
This score and parts package suits jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level that include strong soloists capable of trading on a Bonfa tune with harmonic substance. Festival and contest directors will find a sophisticated vehicle that showcases ensemble balance, section blend, and solo musicianship without requiring novice-level simplification.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the bossa nova clave pattern early in rehearsal. The rhythm section drives the groove, so ensure bass, piano, and drums internalize the characteristic anticipation before adding the horns.
- Balance the solo vehicle around the lead trumpet range. Since the written B sits above the staff, confirm your lead trumpeter can deliver that range cleanly, and adjust section dynamics to spotlight rather than overwhelm.
- Use the optional vibes sparingly during initial run-throughs to establish harmonic clarity; add them once the ensemble has the voicings under control.
- Reference the commercial recording by Metroplexity Big Band (This Time/Last Year) to absorb the intended style and tempo feel. Hearing Berg's own arrangement performed gives soloists and section players a clear interpretive target.
How to use it
Program this as a feature piece on a jazz festival set or concert where you want to showcase both ensemble cohesion and individual soloists. Its commercial pedigree and Bonfa name recognition also make it an excellent selection for festival judges assessing your group's understanding of jazz standards and big band arranging craft.
Skills your students will build
- Bossa nova groove and clave rhythmic accuracy
- Jazz section balance and blend across mixed ensembles
- Solo improvisation and melodic trading within a structured form
- Reading and executing modern jazz voicings (chord extensions and reharmonization)
- Responding to optional instrumental parts and dynamic context shifts