Review

Hoagy Carmichael
Riverboat Shuffle:

Arranged by Brian Bass


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Publisher: BVD Press
Date of Publication: 2010

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (1899-1981) achieved widespread fame as a songwriter, pianist, bandleader and actor. He is probably best known for the songs “Stardust” and “Georgia on my Mind.” Riverboat Shuffle was among his first compositions and it immediately became a Dixieland standard. Arranger Brian Bass has achieved diverse success as prizewinning composer, trombonist, pianist and software consultant. This arrangement is for standard brass quintet instrumentation; first trumpet doubles on piccolo to achieve a quasi clarinet effect. Both trumpet parts are in B-flat and the second part calls for cup mute. The trombone part is entirely in bass clef and goes up to b-flat1. While the tuba part could be played on bass trombone the tuba sound is more stylistically appropriate. Trombonists will enjoy playing an extended Dixieland-style solo, which is quite effective, and there are extended solo passages for each of the other performers. The score and parts are printed in standard maestro font on good quality paper; parts are easy to read with clear performance instructions.

-Wayne Groves
Orquesta Sinfónica de Aguascalientes