Review

Charles Hunter, Joseph Lamb and Arthur Marshall
Three American Rags:

Arranged by Charles Collier Jones


Punta Gorda, FL, United States
Publisher: Charles Collier Jones
Date of Publication: 2012

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

“Three American Rags” includes Charles Hunter’s Possum and Taters; Joseph Lamb’s Champagne Rag; and Arthur Marshall’s The Pippin-Two Step. These are nice offerings for brass quintet from a respected composer/arranger. Score and parts are easy to read, and this middle-aged author (with his middle-aged eyesight) appreciates the larger font used in the parts. 

Dynamic, tempo, articulation and expression markings are given throughout, although dynamic markings stay mostly in the mp–mf range. Syncopations are relatively straightforward and Mr. Jones modifies some original rhythms, perhaps in consideration of performance capabilities. As one might expect, the melody rests mostly with trumpet. These rags follow standard formal structure, albeit with many sectional repeats purposefully left out. Not to worry, this is easy to “fix” as the arranger obligingly adds double bars where repeats may be desired. Mr. Jones sets these parts in a brass-friendly manner – all parts supply moderate “rest areas.” Upper range is reasonable for each instrument, written c3 for B-flat trumpet 1, written g2 for B-flat trumpet 2, written g2 for F horn, g-flat1 for trombone and a-flat for tuba. Mr. Jones sets these in flat key signatures and uses treble and bass clefs exclusively. The tuba part could easily be played on bass trombone. 

The back page of the score includes short biographies of each composer, and notes Mr. Jones’ suggested interpretations and tempo indications as well as his most important instruction to the performers, that “ensembles…come up with their own interpretation of the music.” Consider these suitable for good high school ensembles and above. Appropriate recital/contest fare, these are definitely worthy of performance. Consider these substitutes for or paired companion pieces to the many arrangements of the Joplin rags currently available for brass quintet.

-Michael Davidson
The University of Kansas