Description

The Usual Suspects

Composed by Drew Zaremba

Originally Commissioned for Poly High school, director Chris Stevens

The Usual Suspects has nothing to do with the movie. Rather, it’s writing style channels the three writers I consider the most usual suspects of big band arranging: Sammy Nestico, Thad Jones, and Bob Brookemeyer. Different parts of this tune reflect different elements of their writing. This chart was commissioned and premiered by the Jazz A at Polytechnic High School in California.

Feel: Medium Swing

Tempo: Quarter Note = 84

Solos: Tenor, Trumpet or Alto, Piano or Guitar

Additional Notes: Highest Trumpet note is written Eb

Instrumentation:

Standard Big Band

• 4 Trumpets
• 4 Trombones
• 5 Saxophones (Alto, Alto, Tenor, Tenor, Bari)
• 4 Rhythm (Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums)

Doubles:

• Reed 1: Alto, Soprano, Flute
• Reed 2: Alto
• Reed 3: Tenor, Clarinet
• Reed 4: Tenor
• Reed 5: Bari