Big Band Double Bass Solo

[chris de bass]

I play double bass in a big band ,fairly talented amatures, one thing that is a bit gauling is that every other section & lead has many varied features, however I can't seem to track down any solo pieces for bass.

The band is a typical line up with 5 Sax's, 4 Bones, 4 Pets plus rhythm.

Can anyone advise if they have come accross anything which might be recomended, i'd welcom suggestions in any style.

[Pat Harris]

You could try to track down "Three and One" by Thad Jones, and I know there's a big band arrangement of "Tricrotism" by Oscar Pettiford. Both have some really nice bass features.

[greitzer]

A few big band charts that have feature parts for bass are:

1) the old Benny Goodman tune "Stompin' At The Savoy," which has the bass playing the feature opening lines and several times again throughout the piece (these lines are usually played by saxes, but the bass gets it in this version). The version I've got (sorry I don't know the publisher) says it's arranged by Mike Lewis, perhaps that will help track it down.

2) a big band version of Miles Davis's "Seven Steps to Heaven", with the arrangement listed as "Jazz Horn Music, Second Floor Music and New Fangled Music" and publisher listed as "Sony/ATV Music Publishing."

3) Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca" has a prominent bass line featured throughout, solo in some places. Sorry I don't have any info on the publisher or arranger of this version.

All of these feature the bass, sometimes just for a few measures here and there, but at least they'll give you something. Perhaps other TB'ers will have other suggestions.

[Jeremy Allen]

Ellington's "Jack the Bear" is a nice one; it doesn't really have one huge bass solo in it, but there are several little sections where the bass takes over, including a great long one at the end. I've played it before, so I know the music is out there, but I think it was one of the David Berger transcriptions (hard to get?).

Also "II B.S.," a.k.a. "Haitian Fight Song," by Mingus. There's at least one big band version out there, and it starts with a nice big long bass solo.

Also, just take some choruses like the other instruments when the time comes, on any tune. Sometimes we gotta stand up for ourselves!

[albertofrog]

Hi all, first time I've posted on here....

How about "Satin Doll" for a bit of a bass solo?


My Big Bands got an arrangment by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and it features Bass and Piano for solos, so your not out there on your own too much, but it keeps the brass and saxes quiet for a bit!!

RobH
www.theaccused.org.uk
(my function band..)

[chris de bass]

Thanks for the advice, I do grab the odd adlib solo chorous on the rounds, wood choppers ball, flying home.

I'll see if I can find downloads to have a listen.