Review

Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons
All of Me:

Arranged by Warren Erickson


Newton, IA, United States
Publisher: TAP Music Sales
Date of Publication: 2000

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 4 trombones

This is a newer arrangement by Warren Erickson, former instructor at the U.S. Navy School of Music and currently a resident of Newton, IA, hometown of TAP music. This is a straightforward arrangement, opening with a first trombone solo with background hits, followed by a tiered verse and then a shout chorus with walking bass in part four. The fourth part is truly a fourth tenor part and not a bass part with range down to just E and only once. Part one rises to c2 once but is otherwise comfortable. The top three parts move in homogenous rhythm quite often with only the fourth part moving independently as the bass line. The bass line is notated as eighth notes with the marking “alla string bass” which could be confusing to the amateur. I would prefer a quarter note line with the marking “walking bass.” Close voicing creates a quartet sound that is quite full and rich. Parts are readable and have no page turn difficulties. Cap accents often include a staccato dot, which can be a challenge for older eyes. Dynamic markings are sparse and performers will probably wish to add some softer sections for contrast. This piece also works well with parts doubled as an octet. This is an excellent addition to the jazz quartet repertoire. It is sight readable by a professional group but will provide an excellent vehicle to learn jazz style and phrasing for the less experienced quartet.

-Thomas Zugger
Capital University