Review

Mark Nightingale
Tango & Gymnastics:

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - unaccompanied

Noted English jazz trombonist and composer Mark Nightingale dedicates this unaccompanied work to the “dual talents of Jonathan Warburton.” Beginning with a fanfare, the tango that follows requires the performer to have command of legato articulation and alternate positions. As it is unaccompanied, emphasizing the tango style, is essential as is precise intonation. Accessible range and excellent pacing make this portion of the solo easier to focus on stylistic considerations. The “Gymnastics” portion is indicated as Scherzo, 72 beats per measure. Of course, the waltz feel is implied, however the gymnastics come from cleverly-used glissandi, lip slurs, and extreme register shifts. Again, range is accessible, BB-flat to f1, but there are melodic leaps up to a minor 14th. The composer incorporates well-known trombone lip slur patterns, perhaps as a method of demonstrating “gymnastic” flexibility. This is a delightful solo that will work well for an alternate etude or recital encore piece, and it will most certainly entertain audiences!

-David Stern
Lewiston, Maine