Ocelot

"Ocelot" is a fun, frivolous chart with a catchy melody and a deep groove, not exactly representative of any particular established style, but clearly Latin-inspired.

 

It has two distinct styles and has open solo sections in both. There are written solos for the first trombone, the oft neglected first trumpet, and the popular first alto saxophone. Aside from written solos and the opportunity for improvisation, this chart features heavily the piano, which opens the chart, playing the bassline with clave accompaniment; the baritone saxophone, which plays the bassline along with the bass and bass trombone; the first alto saxophone playing alongside the (once again underrepresented) second tenor saxophone; the second trumpet, introducing the melody in the second style section; the first trombone, responding to the just-mentioned trumpet solo; and, most importantly, the auxiliary percussion, which has prominent parts throughout the chart playing the claves, flexatone, cabasa, congas, and police whistle.

 

The chart is straightforward with regard to form and part function; its complexity lies in the rhythm and articulation band-wide, but most markedly in the rhythm section. This chart has a coherent bassline that does not repeat, making uniform articulation among those playing the bassline a challenge. The auxiliary percussion part features unconventional clave patterns (contraposed to a more typical cymbal-accent pattern in the set part) and complicated and exposed conga lines.

 

The chart is ended by order of the auxiliary percussionist and their whistle.