The Cannonball Run: Piano Accompaniment
As Performed by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
By Gordon Goodwin
Grade: 5 (Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PC-0016832_K
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Description
A high energy Latin pop groove, this one moves along at a pretty good clip---around 240 BPM. It features a soprano sax lead instead of alto 1 and solo space for all saxes, trumpet 4, and trombones 1 and 2. The lead trumpet range is to written high F. A hot sax section soli and some counterpoint round out this cannonball. Hot stuff! (6:28) 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, The Cannonball Run: Piano Accompaniment comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Gordon Goodwin Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
122
SKU:
00-PC-0016832_K
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin began composing full orchestral works in his head at age five, translating what he heard directly onto paper rather than working from fragments. By thirteen, he had already written his first big band chart, Hang Loose, a feat that signaled his arrival as a voice in jazz composition and arrangement.
Goodwin's career spans film, television, and live performance at the highest levels. His orchestrations appear in films including Bad Boys II, Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Remember the Titans, work that earned him three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations. As founder and leader of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band since 2000, he has recorded multiple Grammy-nominated albums and continues to compose and arrange for artists ranging from Christina Aguilera to Quincy Jones, while conducting symphony orchestras across North America and Europe.
Why we love this
Goodwin writes with the energy and sophistication of someone who understands what excites both musicians and audiences. The Cannonball Run delivers exactly what a Grade 5 ensemble needs: a propulsive vehicle with enough solo opportunities to showcase individual players, genuine sax section writing, and a tempo that demands precision without sacrificing the groove.
What to expect
The Cannonball Run is propulsive and infectious, powered by a Latin pop groove that moves with infectious momentum at nearly 240 BPM. The writing balances collective punch with individual spotlight, building from ensemble passages to explosive soli that give each section a chance to shine.
Who it's for
Advanced jazz ensembles performing at the Grade 5 level, especially groups preparing for contests or festivals where high-energy, contemporary big band writing is valued. Directors seeking a vehicle that showcases the full section with built-in solo opportunities will find this piece demands and rewards the investment.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section early in rehearsal. The 240 BPM tempo and Latin pop pulse depend on tight communication between drums, bass, and piano; establish those foundations before layering horns.
- Balance the soprano sax lead carefully against the ensemble. Because it replaces the traditional alto 1, it must cut through without overwhelming the section harmonies underneath.
- Give solo players space to breathe. The written solo sections for saxes, fourth trumpet, and first and second trombones are opportunities for individual voices; resist the urge to over-conduct these moments.
- Rehearse the sax soli as a unit. The "hot sax section soli" requires blend and unanimity; treat this as a feature moment deserving dedicated sectional time.
How to use it
Program this as a set closer or contest finale where you want to leave judges and audiences with energy and precision. Its contemporary sound and extended solo opportunities make it an excellent pairing with classic standards in a concert that spans traditional and modern big band repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Playing accurately at fast tempos (240 BPM) while maintaining control
- Latin pop groove and rhythmic precision
- Solo improvisation and featured melody playing
- Section blend within complex sax and trumpet writing
- Reading and executing counterpoint and soli passages