Second-year saxophonist and Music Scholar, Tim Pickering, gives us the lowdown on the start to the year for this year’s University Big Band…
The University Big Band swung back into life last two weeks ago after the summer break. We’re now back, and bigger than ever! We have some exciting new charts to play- one to really look forward to is Gordon Goodwin’s arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which although technically demanding, once licked it should sound great. Other personal highlights for me include arrangements of Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll, Night Train, and a cracking arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke’(one of my favorites, not just due to the swing double time tenor sax solo in the middle… *heads to practice room*) It’s shaping up to be a great programme!
It’s great to see so many new, and enthusiastic players in the band this year, there are certainly exciting times ahead for us jazz musicians here at the University.
We have several gigs arranged for this academic year, the first being at the opening of the Colyer-Fergusson building, then we’ll be working towards the joint Big Band and Concert Band gig on the 15th March. Later in the year, we will be joining forces with the St Edmund’s School Big Band, and the concert band for the annual ‘Big Bands3’, and in June, there will be another ‘Big Band Gala’, which is always a great way to round off the musical year!
Tim Pickering – Band Librarian, Tenor/Alto Saxist in Concert Band, Big Band, Jazz@5, and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra… and second year Forensic Chemist when I have time!
