FATHER KNICKERBOPPER - BIG BAND ARRANGEMENT

This version of Father Knickerbopper is the stock arrangement issued in 1949; the key is different than the Jackson version and was written so that it is playable by a smaller ensemble. It was adapted for full big band instrumentation and recorded by the Ted Heath Orchestra when Heath tried to introduce the current modern jazz styles into his repertoire. This attempt was a failure, and the arrangement didn’t remain in the active book for long. I believe the arranger who adapted this for Heath is none other than John Dankworth, whom Heath repeatedly asked to join his ensemble full time. At the time, Dankworth was playing saxophone on British cruise ships so he could get to New York and listen to the modern jazz being played on 52nd Street. It would have been easy for him to obtain this stock and then fill it out for Heath. The stock was probably not available in England at the time. If you listen to both the Jackson (1949 and 1957) and Heath versions, it is evident that both a medium and a very fast tempo work for this piece. But the one thing you don’t want is for the piece to sound sloppy. Also resist the temptation for the band to ‘go wild’ in terms of dynamics; constant loud playing is not appropriate here. It is a great, up-tempo swing tune featuring solos for piano, baritone sax, alto sax, tenor sax, and trumpet. Feel free to open up for solos; the changes are great to improvise on. The sound sample is courtesy of Terry Gibbs, who performed this exact arrangement in May of 2010 during a tribute concert to Tiny Kahn.

Contents

1. Full Score
2. 2 Alto Saxophones
3. 2 Tenor Saxophones
4. Baritone Saxophone
5. 3 Trumpets
6. 3 Trombones
7. Guitar
8. Piano
9. Bass
10. Drums

Includes: