Review

Lennie Niehaus
Mood Swing:
2 trumpets, 2 trmobones

Delevan, NY, United States
Publisher: Kendor Music
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.kendormusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 4 brass
Secondary Genre: Jazz Material - ensemble

These quartets (and Miniature Jazz Suite No. 1) are part of Lennie Niehaus’ series designed to instruct young players in the various jazz styles of performance. The Suite is subtitled Four Movements In Contrasting Jazz Styles. The movements are 1. ”Faloozy Blues” (moderate blues), 2. “Bebop and Ballad” (moderate swing/slow ballad), 3. “Change of Heart” (slow jazz waltz), and 4. “Brassametricks” (moderate swing). They present a good mix of styles and are well organized for concert presentation, requiring good high school level players to be successful. There are no range problems but a playing time of almost ten minutes may challenge younger players. I think it will sound great. Mood Swing is also quite good. It is the less difficult of the two and provides younger players a fine concert piece. Presentation is excellent.

-Mike Halverson
 Minneapolis, MN