(9 Brass)(Level 4) An up-tempo modal-ish burner that was inspired by Jim McNeely's Off the Cuff (thanks, Jim!). This is a challenging and exciting chart. After a head that includes some rhythmically demanding backgrounds, tenor sax I gets to blow over the alternating pedal point/changes form of the tune. There's a tricky contrapuntal interlude before the trumpet soloist enters, accompanied at first by a unison trumpet soli. After that, and an "Ives"-ian breakdown, hang on for the long ensemble build up to the recap. A little bit of call and response with the drums, a final spiky chord and you're done! Lead alto doubles on soprano sax.

View all charts by Jim Olsen

JIM OLSEN is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he directed the jazz ensembles and received his Master of Music in Composition. He composes in a variety of idioms. His jazz compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by the Eastman School of Music, the University of Kansas, the University of Oregon and the Indiana University jazz ensembles as well as noted jazz artists such as Bobby Shew, Julian Priester and Louie Bellson. Olsen currently lives in Eugene, Oregon, where he composes, teaches privately and is the musical director of the big band, Swing Shift. His first CD, Fragments, was released in 1997.