Mount Harissa (D.Berger)

Immerse your ensemble in the sophisticated sound world of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with this advanced big band arrangement of "Mount Harissa," a jazz standard composed by Duke Ellington. This meticulously crafted arrangement, featuring contributions from D. Berger, is designed for a full 17-piece big band, providing a rich and dynamic performance experience. The piece embodies the classic big band jazz standard style, characterized by its elegant harmonic language, often employing lush voicings and sophisticated chord progressions. Expect a moderate swing tempo feel, allowing for both rhythmic precision and expressive interpretation. The arrangement showcases intricate ensemble passages, demanding tight synchronization and dynamic control from all sections. Solo sections are strategically placed, offering improvisational opportunities for key instrumentalists within the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone sections, typical of the Ellington/Strayhorn tradition. The rhythmic patterns are characteristic of the swing era, with a focus on syncopation and a driving yet relaxed feel.