What solo to play at school jazz concert?

[cdginger]

Ok, Im not sure where this should go, but my school is having a jazz concert and auditions are in roughly a month. The auditions are all for soloists and im not sure what bass solo to play. Im allowed to play anything and i double on electric and upright, although im better at electric. I just wanted to get some opinions or suggestions as for what to play or what you would play. Sorry if this isnt clear enough.

[Elrend]

An improvised one, over a standard of your choosing.

[fdeck]

Given the amount of time available, I suggest finding a transcribed solo and learning it along with the melody. You might be able to get more guidance on the DB side. Unless you've been doing this for a while already, learning to improv in a month ain't going to happen, but learning a transcribed solo is a good exercise.

[Stick_Player]

Just keep it short.

[cdginger]

Well I can actually improvise really well so as far as just improvising over a standard or something like that is doable but i was mainly just asking for actual song titles to consider. The ones i were considering were songs like Dear Old Stockholme, Summertime, Billie's bounce, and a few others. But difficulty isn't a huge issue forme so if you could just give me standards or songs that either have good bass solos or songs that are just good in general. Also, tell me what you would play, thanks

[fdeck]

That's cool. I guessed wrong about your level of ability.

I often get asked to pick a tune, then play the melody and solo, on combo gigs. It adds variety, and audiences seem to enjoy it. My "formula" is to choose a ballad (not too slow, or it drags) or medium swing, and play the melody by myself before letting the band in to accompany my solo. I always count the band in, because invariably somebody isn't paying attention and misses their entrance. Sometimes I choose:

Easy Living
Lover Man
When Sonny Gets Blue
In A Sentimental Mood

If you're up to it, I suggest upright, arco. There's a good chance that nobody else will play a ballad, and they really do sound nice on bass. The girls will melt.

[cdginger]

Yeah thanks im really diggin the sound of playin arco on some of these ballads. My primary choice was to play the melody of Dear Old Stockholmme on electric bass and then go to upright for the solo and back to electric for the ending but im thinking about changing my mind and doing a ballad. Thanks for your suggestions

[Buxtehude]

Ornithology is a favourite of mine.
Also 500 Miles High