Carol Arrangement Comfort and Joy, Martyn Thomas

Programme Note

A 'big band' jazz arrangement of the popular Christmas carol, 'God rest ye merry gentlemen'.

This arrangement was written for Portsmouth Citadel band as a contemporary alternative to 'big band' swing. It was first featured at the Portsmouth Guildhall Carol concert in 1993. To the uninitiated ear, certain segments of this piece could sound discordant, the reason being there is no compromise. What you hear is what you get - pure unadulterated 'big band' jazz.

The whole piece hinges on a competent 'kit' drummer providing the necessary underlying 'tight' rock beat, coupled with the appropriate ad lib. fill-ins and break, and the Basses and Bass Trombone who will generally need to emulate bass guitar riffs.

The Soprano Cornet can think of him/herself as the trumpet 'screamer' and the Euphonium soloist could be playing a tenor sax.

Syncopation needs to be exact otherwise the overall effect will be lost.

A great concert item.

View here: https://samusicindex.com/brass/comfort-and-joy/2635