vocal jazz/bop (1996)

Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian, Sara Krieger, Darmon Meader, Caprice Fox, vocals
John Werking, piano
Chuck Bergeron, bass
Peter Grant, drums

To appreciate this piece more, review the sidebar The Arrangers Vocabulary: Different Ways That Big Band Musicians Play Together, in Section Seven of this guide. Notice how the voices in this selection use such ensemble textures as tutti, soli, and shouts, imitating the sounds heard in big bands. In this arrangement, the vocalists are asked to sing difficult harmonies and fast bebop melodies, creating interesting and colorful textures and sonorities. Notice how Darmon Meaders vocal solo sounds like a saxophone when it starts. Meader is also a sax player and translates his voice into a convincing instrumental solo. The vocal traditions of both rock and jazz are brought to a high level of refinement and virtuosity in this group and others like it.									