Fresh Cut Fries

Description

Who doesn’t love fresh cut fries? And who doesn’t love an easy to play blues chart with an infectious melody, great scoring and many of the swing figures that are essential for young players to learn? Further, the approachable blues changes in F concert make this a great chart to encourage young players to improvise. With flexible Jazz Foundations scoring, this chart is accessible to groups with any instrumentation.

Program Notes

All young players need to learn about the blues, which is arguably the most important song form in jazz. “Fresh Cut Fries” offers a multitude of teaching opportunities. The rhythmic figures used are some of the most basic and important building blocks in the swing feel. Also, the harmonic form is a 12 bar blues, providing your students with the chance to learn this essential form.

All players should closely observe all articulation markings. Singing the melody is a great way to help students gain a grasp of the articulations. The chart opens with rhythmic figures in the lower horns and the rhythm section. The upper horns then join with the melody. The full ensemble takes over the melody on the second chorus beginning at bar 17.

The solo section at bar 41 may be opened up. Improvisation should be encouraged, but written solos are provided. Backgrounds may be used as desired

The full band returns following the solo section to take the chart out.