“Never Let Me Go” (8 Brass) (Level V) was originally written to feature alto saxophone legend Phil Woods, who can be heard on the accompanying recording with the DePaul U (Chicago) jazz ensemble. A slow, dark, plaintive ballad with double-time feel sections, this challenging arrangement is ideal for the advanced collegiate or professional ensemble. Sax section is scored SATTB with additional Alto feature part.
View all charts by Chris Madsen
Chris Madsen Jazz saxophonist and composer Christopher Madsen has made impressive accomplishments
during his musical career. He serves as Jazz Faculty member at Northwestern University in Evanston,
Illinois, Director of Jazz at Midwest Young Artists in Highwood, IL, and has coordinated the Jazz
program for the National High School Music Institute in Evanston since 2009. Madsen is an indemand
figure in the Chicago jazz world, actively performing, writing, and teaching in multiple
contexts and venues. He is a sought-after jazz clinician, often adjudicating and offering clinics to
ensembles of all ages and levels. He is also a Rico Reed clinician, member of the Fulbright Specialist
Program roster, Jazz Education Network and the National Educator’s Association. He has also been
featured in Jazziz Magazine (2012) and the Jazz Spotlight for artsamerica.org (2012).
After graduating from DePaul University in Chicago with a B.M. in Jazz Studies and studying with
the likes of Mark Colby, Tom Matta and Dr. Bob Lark, Madsen auditioned for the then-relatively new
Juilliard Jazz Studies program. He was accepted to the program in 2003 and moved to New York
City to complete this two-year post-bachelor’s program. Madsen spent three years in New York,
performing with and writing for such jazz masters as Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Loren
Schoenberg, Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Washington, Jon Gordon, and many others. After graduating
from Juilliard in 2005, Madsen made the decision to move back to his homeland of Chicago in 2006
and has since been artistically involved with much of the local talent, including the Ron Perrillo
Quartet, the Rob Parton and Tom Matta Big Bands, the Mulligan Mosaics Big Band, and many others.
Madsen continues to write for New York-based ensembles as well. Madsen has an impressive
discography and can be heard on countless independent releases as well as nationally-available
recordings. His saxophone playing can be found on the Loren Schoenberg Big Band’s 2006 release
“Black Butterfly” featuring the vocal stylings of jazz legend Barbara Lea. Two of his big band
arrangements were also featured on this album. His saxophone solos and compositions have been
featured on recordings by many Chicago musicians and the Juilliard Jazz Ensembles. Madsen’s
original composition “Tao Jones” served as title track for DePaul University’s release in 2004.
Composing music actively for groups of all sizes, levels, and styles, Madsen is a published composer
with Walrus Music Publishing.
He was commissioned to compose the Illinois Music Educators Association’s jazz piece, entitled
“With Gratitude”, which served as the basis for all jazz auditions in 2011-2012. He was honored to
have his arrangement of the song “Never Let Me Go” recorded by Phil Woods and the DePaul Jazz
Ensemble released in 2007 to rave reviews. He maintains a consistent compositional schedule writing
for Chicago- and New York-based ensembles such as the Rob Parton Big Band, the Smithsonian Jazz
Masterworks Orchestra, and the Jazz Museum in Harlem All-Stars. Madsen’s compositions and
arrangements have been featured by many local high school jazz ensembles at in-house concerts as
well as local jazz festivals.
Madsen serves as Professor of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and is
responsible for teaching Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Composition, and directing ensembles, and is
assistant director of the Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra. He has coached award-winning
ensembles at New Trier, Libertyville, John Hersey, and Elk Grove High Schools in Illinois.
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