Neal Finn

Dedicated to the spirit of jazz that never dies. A smooth jazz ballad that displays the ensemble's control on long sustained passages. Nice harmonic sequence with changes similar to 'Giant Steps' and...

Named for the intense style of jazz Miles was playing with his quintet in the late 1960's. An unusual composition for me. Based on a twelve tone row, this piece is sometimes tonal, sometimes atonal. S...

Commissioned by Lewis Britton Middle School, Morgan Hill, California. A minor blues with dark timbres and tight voicings to develop your ensemble. Open for any soloist on minor blues changes. A good c...

The piece was first commissioned by the California Music Educators Association (CMEA). This is the laid back blues in the style of Jimmy Giuffre's 'Blue Birdland'. Two sections open for solos. Require...

A very lyrical jazz ballad featuring tenor. A bit of Kentonish flavor. Trumpet section needs some power.

Dirtiest, ugliest, greasiest 12/8 blues. Should make you think of K.C. in the '30's. Features trombone soloist and an alto solo. Shout chorus should wipe out back wall in your rehearsal room. Trumpet...

Contemporary rock piece in the spirit of Wayne Shorter's 'Condition Red' Brass chorale starts it off. Plenty of surprises. Long soprano sax solo with guitar solo.

Funky chart needs a lot of rhythmical precision and chops in the brass. Band shouts behind soloist, then trades fours with drummer. Altos and tenors double briefly. Baritone and drum solos. Recorded b...

An up-tempo, flag (pennant?) waving arrangement of an American classic. A 'Four Brothers' like sax soli will challenge your reed section. Open solos.

Composed by Paul Yonemura and arragned by Neal. A really happy jazz samba with a great (and challenging) set of changes. Don't let the key scare you (concert A major), this one lays great. A firey sho...

Jazz waltz with an 'All Blues' flavor. Some poly chords and 'dark' voicings give a mysterious feeling. Open for any soloist (all have changes).

Composed by Paul Yonemura and arranged by Neal. Dedicated to jazz drummer Jack Taylor. A bebop flavored tune that features a horn combo on the head. Ensemble chorus has some tricky rhythms and a sudde...

Commissioned by SW Missouri State Univ, Jerry Hoover, director. Up tempo closer based on classic Basie tune 'Jumpin' at the Woodside.' Some uneven phrases make it tricky. Sax soli and a wild shout cho...

The long awaited sequel to Sammy Nestico's classic 'Ya Gotta Try.' Up tempo opener. Piano solo starts it off. Solos for both tenors trading 16 bar phrases and ending up playing together. Lots of work...

Unusual modal tune with atypical phrase cycle. Melody has small 4-horn 'band within a band' concept. Solo section open for any soloist. Piece combines 'west-coast coll' subtleties with just good old b...

Super-funky chart that's a real crowd pleaser. Short funk solos from tenor 1, tenor 2, alto 2 interspersed around the head. Change of groove goes half-time for a trombone solo that builds. Tenor1 foll...

Commissioned by the late baritone saxophone master, Nick Brignola. A bebop style duet for baritone saxophone and trombone. Both get to blow on the changes and blow 'fours' at each other. Ensemble work...

Come on board the 'Starship Ellington' for a futuristic look at big band jazz. A three movement work that utilizes some unusual sounds and timbres.1) 'Beyond Conventional' A modal tune featuring ensem...

A unique funk chart with some interesting colors and time changes. Bass instruments introduce the 'melody' actually a heavy funk bass line with some occasional Brecker'ish harmonic colors contrasting...

This mambo COOKS!! Features trumpet -trombone -tenor on head. Some tricky 'salsa' figures for the piano. Bass trombone-baritone have important lines too. Solo section open for anyone on montuno patter...

Dedicated to Bob Florence. A smooth, relaxed jazz ballad featuring alto sax. Ensemble passages are voiced close and require careful attention to intonation. Reasonable in range for most ensembles, yet...

Commissioned by Jeff Tower and the Hemet High School Jazz Ensemble. A light samba feel that features tenor sax. Soloist gets lots of room to improvise. Chord progression is challenging. Hot shout chor...

Dedicated to crazy L.A. radio personality Rick Dees and it's a lot of fun to play. A really funky shuffle groove with challenging lines for the horns and a contrasting middle section that features alt...

Commisioned by Martin Murphy Middle School, Morgan Hill, California. Medium tempo jazz tune based on 'Doxy' changes. Features unison trombone on the 'head,' a hip sax soli and some exposed parts for B...

A contemporary piece in three sections: 1. Gumbo Down Bourbon Street. Hot shuffle blues featuring tenor saxophone. 2. Sunday on the Bayou. Quiet reflective ballad featuring trombone. 3. Big and Easy D...