April Free Jazz Arrangement - Freight Trane for Octet

April's Free Jazz Arrangement: Freight Trane by Kenny Burrell

This month's free arrangement is an octet version of guitarist Kenny Burrell's "Freight Trane" from the record he did with John Coltrane. This tune is an Ab "Bird Blues".

The arrangement features the melody, a soli for the ensemble, and solo section with backgrounds.

Scored for 5 horns and Rhythm:
Alto
Tenor
Bari
Trumpet
Trombone
Piano
Bass
Drums

Download the arrangement for free HERE!

I hope you can check it out! Let me know if you decide to use the arrangement - I'd love to hear the performance!

- Nick

Book Launch Today! March 21st, 2014!

Greetings All! 

I'm very excited this morning to announce the official launch of my brand new book: 

GET AHEAD! A Practical Guide for the Developing Jazz Trombonist

This book has been a project of mine for the last 18 months or so, since I finished up my time at the Juilliard School and began reflecting on what I learned there as a student. I realized that there were so many simple things that could have set me on my path much earlier on. Simple ideas, thoughts, and exercises to help guide me to where I want to be as a musician. So, I wrote this book in the hopes that it will be able to inform future generations of trombonists and inspire them to work hard to achieve their goals - one day at a time.

In short, this book is full of all of the stuff I wish I had practiced BEFORE I went to music school! Any student looking to go down this path is highly encouraged to check this book out.

This book is intended for any trombonist who wants to get more in depth about playing the trombone and jazz. Although the exercises are intended (and scored) for trombone, the ideas and exercises are applicable to instrumentalists of any kind.

What's inside:

• Sound Development Exercises
• Flexibility/Articulation/High Range Studies
• Transcriptions
• Tune Learning Skills
• Ear Training Exercises
• Basic Jazz Piano Skills
• Jazz Vocabulary Studies

You can check out the front and back cover right here:

Front Cover of GET AHEAD! A Practical Guide for the Developing Jazz Trombonist 

Back cover of GET AHEAD!

You can order the book today in my online store - or via Amazon.com if you prefer

** note - the amazon page at the time of this posting currently shows the book unavailable, it is updating in their system and should appear in stock shortly! Order now in my store to avoid delays!

I hope you can check it out soon - I'm excited to share this book with everyone! I would be remiss if I didn't thank all of the people who have helped to mentor me thus far, and provide the inspiration to make this book into a reality! Steve Turre, Michael Davis, Rodney Jones, Carl Allen, Mark Kellogg, James Burton, Steve Davis, Curtis Fuller, and many more - THANK YOU!

I'm en route to the Eastern Trombone Workshop this morning, and will have the first printed copies with me to share with all of you in attendance! Be sure to check out my recital Saturday March 22nd at 1130AM if you're around Fort Myer (outside Washington DC)!

Take care, and thanks for your continued support!

Nick

GET AHEAD! is published by Outside in Music: www.outsideinmusic.com

March Jazz Arrangement Giveaway!

Happy St. Patricks Day All!

A little late this month - but none-the-less here is March's arrangement. This month I'm featuring a transcription for jazz sextet:

Trumpet
Trombone
Tenor Saxophone
Piano
Bass
Drums

Ray Bryant's "Tonk" by the Jazztet! Be sure to check out the original for reference!

Order the arrangement for free, at my store!

I'm also excited this month because I'll be launching my brand new book "GET AHEAD!" this Friday March 21st, at the Eastern Trombone Workshop! Check it out HERE - or come get one in person!

Thanks all -

Nick

February Free Jazz Arrangement - Beautiful Love for Sextet

For February’s arrangement we have “Beautiful Love” (Wayne King, Victor Young, Egbert Van Alstyne) scored for jazz sextet. This arrangement features a few subtle alternate changes, as well as some ensemble figures to aid in bringing the melody to life!

It is important to note that during the solos (on the whole form - first ending and second ending) the changes should line up 2 beats or 4 beats per chord. The anticipations written into the head should straighten out.

Enjoy! 

Instrumentation:

Trumpet

Tenor Sax

Trombone

Rhythm Section

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Order this FREE Arrangement here

- Nick

Solo Jazz Trombone Videos - Started this week!

Greetings All!

I wanted to take a chance to share with everyone, my latest project! I've started a YouTube video series that will feature some solo trombone arrangements of some of my favorite tunes from jazz composers.

The first one features a composition by the great JJ Johnson, his tune Judy. Judy was originally recorded by JJ along with Kai Winding on "The Great Kai and JJ" released on Impulse! in 1961.

The arrangement is pretty simple - and opening melodic statement followed by a few improvised choruses and the melody restated. Hope you enjoy! Please do leave feedback in the comments section of the YouTube video, and subscribe to the channel to see the next video!

See ya next time! Happy Superbowl Sunday!

- Nick

Free Jazz Arrangements for 2014! January: Triste

For 2014, I've decided to post a new arrangement to my online store each month - free! Feel free to share and perform with school ensembles, bands you play with, or just to read through.

January's arrangement is an octet arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim's great piece "Triste".

Vist: https://nickfinzer.storenvy.com  to download today! After February 1st it won't be free...! Let me know what you think about it by dropping me a line at nick@nickfinzermusic.com or leaving a note on my FB page.

Here's some more about this month's arrangement:

Difficulty: Intermediate
Instrumentation:
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums
Description:
This octet arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Triste" was originally written for the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra in New York City for one of their weekly performances. This arrangement features the lead voice as the trumpet, with solos for any instrument, and a shout chorus that trades with the drummer. This arrangement includes full score plus eight parts, provided in .PDF format.
Performance Notes:
This tune is in the traditional Bossa Nova style from Brazil made popular first in New York by jazz musicians like Stan Getz. Be sure to check out some of the original recordings that feature the composer Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano (both instrumental and vocal versions). The intro layers in starting with the rhythm section and then adds in the horns.This intro should grow gradually into the first opening statement of the melody at letter B. Each repeat should be played twice (i.e. as written). The form of the song is all of letter B,C, and D (the form of the sections is ABAC with a tag), the first time is the statement of the melody and then opens up into solos. Each part has chord changes, so anyone who wants to can improvise! Measure 43 is cued after solos are finished (marked “After Solos”), ensemble should play strong to send off each drum solo section. At the conclusion of letter F (end of measure 76) D.S. back to letter C (measure 9). Play letter C as before for the recapitulation of the melody, and go directly to the CODA at the end of measure 40. The Coda should be played as written, with diminuendo. The last chord should come in strong, drums be sure to set it up. Be sure to attend to the detail of phrasing each ensemble passage together, minding articulations and making a dynamic statement with each phrase!

Hope you enjoy this arrangement! Questions? Email Nick at nick@nickfinzermusic.com

Want help with this? Contact Nick to schedule a consultation or in person session - nick@nickfinzermusic.com

For more arrangements visit Nick’s online store at www.nickfinzermusic.com

A new year!

Man, 2013 went quick! Can't believe that it's already 2014. Rather than ruminate about and celebrate the many things I'm proud of in 2013, I think that it's time to look ahead and share some of the upcoming projects that I am excited about this year!

Starting with: this Friday (January 10th) I will be performing the music of the amazing Gil Evans with Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans project at Subculture here in NYC. Featuring the always swingin' Mr. Lewis Nash. 

Ongoing is the monthly gig with one of my favorite saxophonists, Lucas Pino and his Nonet at Smalls. Upcoming dates: 1.14 and 3.11!

In March I am super excited to get back to Washington DC for the 2014 edition of the Eastern Trombone Workshop! I'll be there 3.21 & 22! There will be a performance on the 21st with the us army blues, with Marshall Gilkes; and my performance on the 22nd. 

Another ongoing project is my video blog on the great musicians website, polyphonic.org. You can find them there, and on my YouTube channel. 9 entries in so far, and we'll see where they lead me in the next few months!

I've decided to start a new project this year to challenge myself musically. I will be creating some solo trombone videos (one per month) celebrating some of my favorite jazz composers. Stay tuned to my YouTube channel for those! (Putting out here will help me to keep to my promises, I hope!)

After two years, I will finally be finishing up my first book in the next month or so, featuring exercises and ideas for the young developing jazz trombonists out there! Additionally, I will be expanding the offerings in my online store to feature arrangements for big band and small groups - with additional support resources to help your students perform at an even higher level!

Thank you all again for your unbelievable support. 2013 was great, and can't wait for what is in store this year. Best wishes for an amazing 2014!!

 - Nick