Loud Minority Big Band

Manhattan Fever

Frank Foster originally composed 'Manhattan Fever' as the title track for a 1968 sextet date of the same name. In 1977, Foster would release another album under the same title, this time featuring his Loud Minority Big Band performing an expanded version of the 1968 sextet arrangement. After a four bar bass and drums introduction, the rhythmically jaunty melody is stated in the tenor and baritone saxophones and trombone. Although it follows a traditional blues form (in 6/4), there are some mildly dissonant elements to the melody and harmony that add an extra sense of depth to the otherwise straight-ahead form. The trumpets join in on the melody at measure 17, with the saxophones providing some simple yet effective background riffs. After a brief send-off at measure 29, the arrangement opens up into a more soloist-oriented mode. First up is a tenor saxophone solo at measure 33, followed by a trombone solo at measure 57, and concluding with a piano solo at measure 93. Each solo section contains backgrounds that are largely based off of similar figures from Foster's original sextet version. These backgrounds are fairly simple, but unique enough to provide a nice variation between soloists. The ensemble shout section beginning at measure 117 is a throwback to Foster's Count Basie roots, starting at a dynamic level barely above a whisper, gradually building to a glorious roar. The saxophones return to the melody at measure 141 with the brass providing some powerful rhythmic hits for accompaniment. The riff used as an interlude before the first solo returns to serve as the arrangement's conclusion, gradually tapering down to a whisper-soft finish. This arrangement is written for full big band with an additional 5th trumpet and tuba part. This is not a transcription - this arrangement has been prepared from Frank Foster's original score. We hope you enjoy playing this arrangement as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you!