Benny Goodman

Clarinade

Mel Powell wrote this piece for Benny Goodman, and in some ways it points the way for Mel Powell's later switch from jazz to classical music. The chart is full of rich, flowing texture and has a superb harmonic structure, yet is still a thumping swing number. Aside from an 8 measure Piano solo the chart is an out and out Clarinet feature. However, it is not easy. Your Clarinet player will need to be very nimble fingered to get it right, as playing in the keys of E and F# at 240 beats a minute is quite a challenge, and the band will need to be tight and have good intonation too. The arrangement is scored for 8 Brass and 5 reeds - Clarinet, Alto, 2 Tenors and Baritone. Tenor 1 doubles Clarinet.