Rhythm Section,Small Ensemble Bass Clef Instrument,Bass Guitar,Bass Trombone,Double Bass,Drum Set,Drums,Keyboard,Piano,Tenor Trombone,Trombone/Baritone B.C. - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.961216
By Barry Mann. By Barry Mann and Gerry Goffin. Arranged by Robert Coil. 20th Century,Contemporary,Jazz,Pop. Score and parts. 40 pages. Polished Brass #6704317. Published by Polished Brass (A0.961216).
This classic Doo-Wop song is arranged for trombone quintet with optional rhythm section. The range of the first and second trombone goes briefly up to B flat4, the third trombone goes up to G4. The range of the fourth trombone is a modest A flat2 to F4, but has the opening solo. The Bass Trombone provides the rhythmic drive and harmonic foundation, with range consistently low, from A flat1 to E flat3, thus requiring a player with solid technique and determination to keep the tempo from sagging. (ASPN pitch notation)
This arrangement may be played by trombone quintet with or without the optional rhythm section. When performed without the rhythm section accompaniment, it is essential for each player to strive to keep the tempo up.
A number of pieces popular in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s had lyrics that had no meaning but were nonsense syllables (non-lexical vocables) that were sung. Anyone familiar with the era will recognize songs such as:
Witch Doctor (
Ooo, eee, ooo ah ah, ting tang, Walla walla, bing bang),
Sh-Boom (
Do-roo-do-do, sh-boom),
Blue Moon (
Bom ba ba bom ba bom ba bom bom, Dang a dang dang, ding a dong ding). Often, the lead singer had lyrics that told a story, while a backup chorus just sang,
Ooo, Aaah. The genre became known as
Doo Wop.
By the 1960s, the genre, with its simple chords, nonsense syllables, often sung a cappella or featuring a 4 or 5 part vocal group with simple accompaniment, was starting to fade in popularity. The song Who Put the Bomp manages to be both a part of the genre and a nostalgic reflection on its passing. This arrangement captures the essence of the era with close harmonies and a lively beat.
The arranger, Bob Coil, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music, where he studied bass trombone with Betty Glover. Dr. Coil is the leader of the Bones of Cincinnatus trombone ensemble in Cincinnati, OH.