Double Bass West coast jazz concert charts

[Bruce Calin]

I played a rehearsal yesterday for an upcoming octet concert featuring classic West coast jazz arrangements. The published bass parts had instructions on top that read, "Chord names are for reference only. Playing the written notes is preferred." I don't recall seeing this before and had a great time annoying my bandmates by reminding them(several times) that "Playing the written notes is preferred."

 

[bass player 53]

I played a rehearsal yesterday for an upcoming octet concert featuring classic West coast jazz arrangements. The published bass parts had instructions on top that read, "Chord names are for reference only. Playing the written notes is preferred." I don't recall seeing this before and had a great time annoying my bandmates by reminding them(several times) that "Playing the written notes is preferred."

I can see instances where the bass doubles the bari sax or tuba, such as in Gil Evans, etc. On the other hand, you have the popular high school swing big band arrangements, where the bass lines are written out.
Otherwise… meh..

 

[Bruce Calin]

I can see instances where the bass doubles the bari sax or tuba, such as in Gil Evans, etc. On the other hand, you have the popular high school swing big band arrangements, where the bass lines are written out.
Otherwise… meh..

The difference in this case is that the harmony is so intricately structured that each note is part of an elaborate construction and moving so quickly that the line has to move in a very strict way. It isn't a case of doubling or simplicity. Some of these lines are pretty unusual and not what would be played in any normal walking bass line. Even in sections where there are just changes they are very specific. The piano parts are the same way. That's why the instruction to play the written notes is there. It all has to fit together with the horns and is very cool when it does. I understood when I heard it.

 

[bass player 53]

The difference in this case is that the harmony is so intricately structured that each note is part of an elaborate construction and moving so quickly that the line has to move in a very strict way. It isn't a case of doubling or simplicity. Some of these lines are pretty unusual and not what would be played in any normal walking bass line. Even in sections where there are just changes they are very specific. The piano parts are the same way. That's why the instruction to play the written notes is there. It all has to fit together with the horns and is very cool when it does. I understood when I heard it.

Interesting. I don't know what "West Coast jazz arrangements" are. I've heard of the term 'west coast jazz', and a lot of the players, and analysis of the sound, but not about arrangements. Very nice not to be playing the usual things.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Interesting. I don't know what "West Coast jazz arrangements" are. I've heard of the term 'west coast jazz', and a lot of the players, and analysis of the sound, but not about arrangements. Very nice not to be playing the usual things.

These are arrangements for octet from the 1950s featuring what was called the "West coast sound" from writers like Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Gil Evans, etc. They feature a lot of uptempo swing and intricate arrangements. They are fun and can be challenging to play.

 

[bass player 53]

These are arrangements for octet from the 1950s featuring what was called the "West coast sound" from writers like Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Gil Evans, etc. They feature a lot of uptempo swing and intricate arrangements. They are fun and can be challenging to play.

My dad, being a jazz bassist, had a huge collection of vinyl and reel to reel tapes of all those artists. One of my favorites is this: