Complex City

This composition by Oliver Nelson was recorded by the "Jazz Interactions Orchestra" in 1967, an ensemble led by pianist Billy Taylor. This is a brilliant and innovative piece of music. Less of an arrangement and more of a full length composition, it features a variety of woodwinds and a percussion section including vibes, xylophone, timpani, and claves. The percussion part is intended to be played by a single person. There are many meter shifts including 3/4, 3/8, 3/16, 6/16, 5/8, and 6/4! Part of the "Jazzhattan Suite," Nelson composed it without a key signature and it has not been included here. The first half of the piece is more classically inspired than jazz. There are Copland and Bartok influences throughout. An 8-bar drum solo leads the group into a bright swing feel for an open solo section where solos are featured for piano, tenor saxophone, and trumpet. If your band can pull it off, this would be a fantastic concert or festival piece! Instrumentation: Reed 1: Clarinet/Alto Saxophone; Reed 2: Flute/Alto Saxophone; Reed 3: Flute/English Horn/Oboe/Tenor Saxophone; Reed 4: Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone; Reed 5: Flute/Bass Clarinet/Baritone Saxophone; 4 Trumpets; 2 Horns in F; 4 Trombones; Tuba; Piano; 2 Bassists; Drums; Percussion (Vibraphone, Xylophone, Timpani, Claves). Ranges: Trumpet 1 to F6, Trombone 1 to Bb4.