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If you purchase my big band charts through dancavanagh.com, I will email PDFs to you after receiving payment via PayPal. If you need to use an invoice and purchase order, simply use the contact form, providing which charts you would like to purchase, and we will continue our communication via email.
If you would like to purchase pre-printed charts, please visit my publisher, Walrus Music. Please contact me if you have any additional questions, or to let me know you performed some of my music. I always love to hear about performances!
To see more information on a particular chart, or to purchase that chart, click its "more detail" link.
Albequirky
Albequirky was written for the 2007 New Mexico All State Jazz Band. A cross between a tribute to Benny Golson and Thelonious Monk, this relaxed swingin' chart (q=116) features comfortable ensemble writing, an interesting tutti line across the horn section, and a grea...
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Black Rattle
Lengthy (~9:30). Up-tempo driving ECM feel/free. Rhodes piano (opt. piano). Woodwind doubles (soprano sax, clarinet/bass clarinet). Commissioned by the University of Oregon Jazz Ensemble and premiered at the IAJE conference in 2005, Black Rattle utilizes a "follow th...
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Chaos Theory
Up-tempo Swing. This driving, exciting piece explores changes from stability to instability and back to stability again. Quick, explosive motifs in the beginning of the piece give way to a developing ocatonic (half-whole) melody. A lush trombone solo out of time give...
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Foundations (for Dan Burkholder)
Foundations was written in honor of Dan Burkholder, the first jazz band director at the University of Texas at Arlington. This ballad is a flugelhorn feature throughout. Starting with a lush introduction with full ensemble, the solo flugel takes the first statement o...
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Get 'R' Done
Wtih a drum solo out front, this up-tempo swinger features modal A sections and simple changes on the bridge, serving as a great introductory chart to faster playing without all the complicated chord changes that tend to go along with quick charts. Solos can be given...
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Good Morning to All
"Good Morning to All" is the original melody from which "Happy Birthday" comes. Although "Happy Birthday" is still under copyright, this arrangement of the original melody will be instantly recognizable to your audience. A soloist part is included for Bb, Eb, Bass Cl...
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Gozar
Commissioned by the Westwinds Jazz Orchestra in Calgary, Gozar is a high-energy chart with a 12/8 Afro-Cuban feel. Starting with open solo space for percussion or drumset, the bass enters with an ostinato that sets up the melody. The solo changes are written for trom...
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Having Built in Deeper Water
Medium tempo. straight eights in 3/4. Woodwind doubles (clarinet/bass clarinet). One of Dan's most popular (and most performed) pieces! Starting off with pedal point C in the bass, this lush piece develops organically over time, presenting evolving representations of...
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Jotma
This chart was commissioned by the Univ of Texas at Arlington Jazz Orchestra for their performance featuring trumpet player Ron McCurdy and drummer Adonis Rose at the 2008 Texas Music Educator's Convention. This chart showcases a medium-uptempo "Caravan"-like latin g...
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Mineyo (Samba Min)
Mineyo (Samba Min) was written by saxophonist Tim Ishii for his daughter. The arrangement remains faithful to the playful nature of the original tune, with solo space for anyone in the band. Beginning with an explosion of energy, the arrangement quickly settles down ...
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Mississippi Ecstasy (in 3 Movements)
The centerpiece of Dan's big band CD, Pulse, this three-movement suite with narrator features the poetry of acclaimed poet Timothy Young. A metaphor of a trip to the underworld, the poem examines themes involving myth, descent, and continuance. The first movement is ...
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North South
Straight eighths, medium tempo. Commissioned by saxophonist Dave Camwell, this piece features your soprano soxophonist. Starting with melodic ideas on solo soprano in the lush key of concert Gb, the band sneaks in to complement. Sweeping dynamic gestures push the tun...
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Phase Space
Relaxed Swing in 3/4. Phase Space is set in a relaxed mood with the melody first outlined by the lead trombone. Solo space for trumpet or trombone comes first after the melody with backgrounds sneaking in on the second chorus. Piano is allowed another solo with optio...
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Pulse
"Pulse" was commissioned by the jazz program at Virginia Tech. Although this chart is a guitar feature, the solo part will work well for vibraphone, saxophone, or trumpet as well. This chart starts with a "pulsing" figure in the brass section and breaks into a funky,...
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Split-Rock
Up-tempo swing. This high-energy big band piece starts off with a full ensemble shout and drops its energy down into a short piano solo. The band then enters with fragments of the main melody, using bold dynamic gestures and sharp attacks to highlight drum work. Afte...
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Time of Reckoning, A
Commissioned by the Nova Jazz Orchestra in St. Paul, MN, "A Time of Reckoning" is a piano feature, with additional solo space for guitar or vibes. This chart continues the long tradition of pieces based on the Dies Irae chant, with a hard driving feel in the rhythm s...
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Tunnel Vision
"Tunnel Vision" was commissioned by the Keokuk High School Jazz Program in Keokuk, IA. This chart makes a great complement to straight-ahead swing tunes with its straight-eighth, cross-stick groove. A nice way to feature your bass trombonist and bassist with a soli i...
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