Find out what makes certain big band arrangements sound so great! Ray Wright has thoroughly analysed eight classic charts from the pens of Thad Jones (Three and One , Kids are Pretty People , Us ), Sammy Nestico (Basie - Straight Ahead , Hay Burner ) and Bob Brookmeyer (Hello and Goodbye , First Love Song , ABC Blues ).

All 8 full, complete scores are presented, and the following elements are isolated and discussed: voicings, orchestration, textures, melodic construction, position of climaxes, passing chords, substitute chords, etc. All 8 charts are played on the CD by the University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble. Bk/CD, 191 pages