Harry James

Moten Swing

Originally conceived as little more than a riff chart by Bennie Moten, this tune would later become a firm favourite of the Basie band. This version of Moten Swing features Piano for the opening chorus before the band picks up the melody in the second chorus. Alto and Tenor ad-lib solos puctuate the third chorus, and the extended shout to the finish features some stunning dynamic contrast writing, with the band having alternating 2 measure phrases which alternate from piano to fortissimo across a 16 measure passage, and then on to the final shout which builds and builds from piano to fortissimo. Not only is this a great swing chart, it also omakes a good feature for your Piano, Alto1, Alto 2 and Tenor 1 players. There are no sax doubles.