Livin' Larger Than Life: Guitar Chords
By Alan Baylock
Grade: 4 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0017111_GC
$3.00
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Description
Composer/arranger Alan Baylock delivers an inspired Afro-Cuban 12/8 groove to feature the lead alto sax with solo space. The melody is played by alto sax and trumpet. Lead trumpet range is to high D with optional E. An outstanding chart for festival or any concert.
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Additional Details
Series:
Premier Jazz Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
80
SKU:
00-PC-0017111_GC
More about this title
About the Composer: Alan Baylock
Alan Baylock has shaped jazz education and composition at the highest levels for decades. As director of the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas, he continues a legacy that includes 20 years as Chief Arranger for the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note, leadership of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra (which recorded three critically acclaimed albums and toured nationally for over 15 years), and guest conducting at more than 100 professional, collegiate, and high school jazz ensembles.
Beyond the podium, Baylock is a committed advocate for equity in jazz. He co-founded Brava Jazz Publishing in 2022 with composer/arranger Annie Booth to amplify women composers and arrangers in big band jazz. His own works have been performed by artists ranging from Melissa Aldana and the Brecker Brothers to Freddie Hubbard and Joshua Redman, with commissions from symphony orchestras worldwide. His degrees from Shenandoah University and the University of North Texas, combined with his longtime involvement in the National Jazz Workshop and the Jazz Education Network, reflect a career built on both artistic excellence and mentorship.
Why we love this
Baylock brings professional big band sensibility to a Grade 4 arrangement without overcomplicating the ensemble's job. The Afro-Cuban 12/8 groove is distinctive enough to stand out on a jazz festival program, yet the chart respects the skill level and allows the alto sax soloist genuine space to shine rather than playing second fiddle to busy background writing.
What to expect
Grounded and sophisticated. The Afro-Cuban 12/8 groove has warmth and swagger without feeling forced; it settles into a pocket that makes the chart feel more mature than its grade level suggests. The alto sax solo space invites genuine improvisation and musical storytelling, giving performers room to breathe rather than hitting every note in a predetermined path.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level (medium advanced to difficult) who are ready for professional-level writing and authentic jazz vocabulary. This works equally well for a festival submission, concert showcase, or ensemble trying to close a set with genuine style.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the 12/8 groove pocket before tackling the solo sections; if the rhythm section settles into a secure, relaxed swing feel here, the whole chart lifts.
- Feature your best alto sax player; this arrangement hangs on the quality of that solo work, and Baylock's voicings are written to support rather than bury the lead voice.
- Balance the alto and trumpet melody line carefully so both voices project equally; the melody's impact depends on blend, not volume.
- Respect the optional high E in the lead trumpet part as a genuine option, not a requirement; if your lead player sits comfortably on high D, the chart works perfectly and sounds controlled.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece on a jazz festival setlist or as the second-to-last piece on a concert, where its energy and sophistication can anchor the program without requiring an encore-level statement. It pairs well alongside Latin jazz standards or with other contemporary big band work, providing audiences with a clear example of modern jazz ensemble writing.
Skills your students will build
- Afro-Cuban rhythm vocabulary in 12/8 meter
- Comping and accompaniment in jazz language
- Solo space navigation and improvisation over changes
- Ensemble balance and blend in a multi-voice arrangement
- Reading and executing contemporary big band voicings