(Level IV) This piece was commissioned by the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble (conducted by Bob Lark), and recorded on their CD Three Steps Ahead. It's a medium up-tempo swing/Latin chart, based on the changes to My Shining Hour. The angular "head" is based on octave leaps; the changes slowly emerge as the tune develops. Solos are written for piano, lead alto, and optional trumpet. 8 Brass

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JIM McNEELY, known for a number of years as jazz pianist with jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Phil Woods, Joe Henderson, David Liebman, and his own trio, the last few years have seen McNeely emerge as one of the preeminent jazz composer/arrangers on the scene today. Most recently, he rejoined the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (formerly Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra) as pianist and composer-in-residence. He is one of the primary arrangers for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and his work with the European bands such as the West German Radio Big Band (Cologne), the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, U.M.O. (Helsinki), and the Danish Radio Big Band (Copenhagen) have helped him win international acclaim. Jim is also the Associate Musical Director of the BMI Composers' Workshop. He is resident artist in jazz studies at New York University.