Big Band Charts
Assurance
Composed and Arranged by David Ashton
I originally wrote this tune in 2012 on the subway in New York City while attending Manhattan School of Music. In a composition class, Dave Liebman encouraged us to write melodies we loved without considering the harmony that would accompany them, and only later develop the harmonic structure. I found this process revealed a very different side of my musical voice and led to ideas I may not have discovered through a more traditional approach.
Later that semester, I arranged the piece for big band as an assignment with guidance from Jim McNeely. Years later, when I began leading my own big band, I revisited the arrangement, expanding it with a development section and refining the form. The resulting version is the arrangement presented here.
The piece is characterized by its unusual 6-bar phrase structures and distinctive harmonic language, creating a sense of motion and surprise while maintaining a strong melodic focus.
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My Foolish Heart
Composed by Victor Young
Arranged by David Ashton
This arrangement of “My Foolish Heart” is designed for an advanced high school, collegiate, or professional big band. The chart features an intricate countermelody woven throughout Victor Young’s original melody, creating a rich and lyrical texture inspired in part by J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
I wanted the arrangement to develop organically through sophisticated reharmonization and a gradual metric modulation into a double-time feel, rather than through an abrupt tempo shift. The result is an expressive and contemporary interpretation that remains faithful to the emotional character of the original song.
The chart was premiered on October 12, 2021, at Swing 46 in New York City by the David Ashton Big Band.
For the improvised section, I recommend dividing the solo space among several players in 8-bar segments, though this is not required. The solo chorus may also be shortened or omitted depending on performance needs.
Please note that the reference recording does not fully reflect the suggested double-time feel indicated in the score and parts for the rhythm section.
I hope you enjoy performing this arrangement!
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Half Lady Bird Nelson
Composed by Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, Arranged by David Ashton
DescriptionHalf Lady Bird Nelson is an exhilarating bebop medley that seamlessly combines Tadd Dameron's classic Lady Bird with Miles Davis' ingenious contrafact Half Nelson. Beginning with a respectful nod to Dameron's original arrangement, the chart jumps between Miles' melody and solo sections with backgrounds before weaving both tunes together into an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
Written for advanced high school, collegiate, and professional big bands, this high-energy swing chart (♩ = 200) is challenging enough to keep experienced ensembles engaged while remaining rewarding to rehearse and perform. Three open solo sections provide opportunities for improvisers to stretch out, while the ensemble is featured throughout with driving shout choruses, intricate interplay between sections, and authentic bebop vocabulary.
Whether you're looking for a thrilling concert opener or an exciting feature for strong improvisers, Half Lady Bird Nelson delivers classic jazz tradition with a fresh, creative twist that audiences and musicians alike will love.