Double Bass big band tunes

[bassbeard]

any suggestions for a 30's-50's big band tune that "features" the bass? our band leader asked me if i wanted to suggest a piece we could learn that gave me a little more of the spotlight. I have no problems dutifully thumping away in the back, but a solo or even just a cool breakdown might be fun. any ideas? keep in mind i will have to be able to find a full arrangement of the song for us to play it.

 

[Febs]

Stan Kenton's Southern Scandal:

 

[bassbeard]

damn, thats a good one! although i may have to fake something for the thumb position parts. my skills are not there yet to do that in public . thanks for the awesome suggestion!

 

[doberman]

jack the bear by Ellington of course

for something more recent thad jones three in one is a great bass feature

 

[IdealWay]

Try Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism"

It's challenging, but all of the big band arrangements I've heard have been absolutely smokin!

 

[Shakin-Slim]

Haitian Fight Song? Not really sure if that's what you're looking for. Just a suggestion

 

[J. Montgomery]

Ellington's "The Mooche" has some bass breaks in it. And its a cool 'spooky' sounding tune.

 

[bassbeard]

The Mooche is a great one! thanks everyone for your replies so far. not only am i getting great ideas, searching for them on youtube has resulted in quite a few fantastic video marathons. it is hard to comprehend how lucky we are that all of this wonderful material is out there for anyone watch, learn, and enjoy.

 

[funkybassinator]

Ellington's "Chinoiserie"
Lots of Mingus stuff
IDK if these qualify as "big-band tunes" but you could probably find arrangements:
Red Clay (Freddie Hubbard)
A Night In Tunisia (I want to say Gillespie?)

 

[Sam Sherry]

Ellington's "Jack The Bear" is where it all started.

 

[John Goldsby]

"Jack the Bear" is published in the Essential Ellington series from Lincoln Center (throughInvalid Link Removed

"Three and One" is published by Invalid Link Removed

Both would be good for a bass feature. With "Jack the Bear," you might want to add an extra chorus or two bass solo (it's a blues in Ab) in the middle of the chart if you want to stretch it out beyond the original short format.

 

[rdwhit]

Also check out "Sepia Panorama", more Ellington. I have a recording from a collection called "the Blanton-Webster Band", and a live version that I copied from a cassette from Mr Goldsby back during the Bush senior administration. Maybe one of the publishers John mentioned has it. Check out the recording, whatever the case. Fun stuff, it's where real bass solos started. I'm sure there are many threads about this in here.

 

[Paul Warburton]

Stan Kenton's Southern Scandal:

He was a great player but it is very weird watching Safranski's pizz.