Big Ugly Blues for jazz orchestra

Robin, this ROCKS. It didn't give me a feeling of 'ugliness', though. It's just a huge outburst of groove, passion and hormones, with little, hidden bits of melancholy underneath. I like this better than lots of Mingus stuff I've heard. The more dissonant, wacky parts were never displeasing to the ear.

I agree some of the solos could have been a little better, but as it stands I find it very satisfying musically. Two thumbs up.

HEY! Thanks a lot!

Glad you liked it!

We'll try and make it a bit uglier next time

Robin - This is the jazz I like and just don't hear too often. Love the A section especially and the Sacre like overlaying of various genres old and new yet thematically and harmonically tight.

The transition to the first sax solo felt a little unprepared -- too much drops off too soon - that just could be remedied with more time for the players to work out the improvs though.

Then, I love how you kind of recap the opening "feel' - this time the dissolution works though I do wish the pianist had a better bridge to he recap. In any event it reminds me of Ives piece "Fourth of July" --- you would love it!!!

Ending great, nice recall and great dissolution.

Overall, excellent work man and those guys had CHOPSSSSSSSS!!! MIGHTY, MIGHTY CHOPS to play your fiendish chart. I guess my only recommendation is you spend more time working on transitions -- hard to tell if it was the improvisers or the chart but they could have been a little tighter -- and you would not have lost the ugliness (Which I don't think it is!)