Woodchopper’s Ball
At our July 2023 concert “The Kings of Swing,” we presented classic big band charts from the greatest band leaders of the swing era.
Here’s our performance of Woody Herman’s memorable, hard-swinging signature tune “Woodchopper’s Ball.” Released in 1939, this song sold over a million copies. In 2002, it received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Our version features solos by Ray Botte on tenor sax, Mike Wojciechowicz on alto sax, and Dave Hughes on trombone. Enjoy!
Time for a Change
At our July 2023 concert “The Kings of Swing,” we presented classic big band charts from the greatest band leaders of the swing era.
Here’s our performance of Stan Kenton’s “Time for a Change,” composed by Hank Levy. This chart was our most challenging piece from this concert since it was written in 9/4 time (subdivided 2-2-3-2). See if you can count along!
Tenor saxophonist Ray Botte ably navigates this difficult terrain during his solo. Enjoy!
Take the A Train
At our July 2023 concert “The Kings of Swing,” we presented classic big band charts from the greatest band leaders of the swing era.
Here’s our performance of Duke Ellington’s signature hit “Take the A Train,” composed by Billy Strayhorn. This updated arrangement is by one of our favorite composers/arrangers, Gordon Goodwin.
The soloists are Nolan Morse on tenor sax and Brandon Hang on piano. Enjoy!
After the Love Has Gone
At our March 2023 concert “Drop the Needle,” we presented big band versions of memorable funk, R&B, rock, and pop hits mostly from the 1970s and 1980s. It was a sell-out and one of our most favorably received concerts ever!
Here’s our performance of Earth, Wind & Fire’s beautiful ballad, “After the Love Has Gone,” from their 1979 hit album I Am. It won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Enjoy!
Josie
From our March, 2023 concert “Drop the Needle,” here’s Josie, from the classic Steely Dan album Aja. This album was Steely Dan’s masterpiece and has been called one of the most perfect albums ever recorded, both from a musical and engineering standpoint.
Al Duarte is featured on guitar. Enjoy!
Just the Two of Us
From our “Drop the Needle” concert, here’s our performance of the Grover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers hit, “Just the Two of Us,” from Grover’s 1981 double-platinum album Winelight. Both the album and the song won Grammy Awards.
The album version of “Just the Two of Us” includes a steelpan solo. Our version features Dave Hughes on steelpan and Ray Botte on tenor sax. Enjoy!
Isn’t She Lovely
Here’s our performance of Stevie Wonder’s hit “Isn’t She Lovely” from his 1976 masterpiece album Songs in the Key of Life. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and stayed there for 13 weeks. It won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and has sold over 5 million copies.
Our version features Andy Rich on trumpet and Al Duarte on guitar. Enjoy!
Livin’ La Vida Loca
Here’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” from Ricky Martin’s English language debut album. It reached number one in more than 20 countries and is considered to be Martin’s biggest hit and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Our version features Al Duarte on guitar. Enjoy!
Sir Duke
Here’s our performance of Stevie Wonder’s hit “Sir Duke” from his 1976 masterpiece album Songs in the Key of Life. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and stayed there for 13 weeks. It won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and has sold over 5 million copies.
The tenor sax soloist is Ray Botte. Enjoy!
Everyday I Have the Blues
For our “All About the Blues” concert at the Nash jazz club on July 31, 2022, we were honored to have the great vocalist Dennis Rowland as our special guest.
Here’s Dennis Rowland singing “Everyday I Have the Blues.” Enjoy!
Aaron’s Blues
Here’s “Aaron’s Blues” from our “All About the Blues” concert at the Nash jazz club on July 31, 2022.
The soloists are Brandon Hang, piano; Mike Wojciechowicz, alto sax; Scott Thomas, trombone; Ray Botte, tenor sax. Enjoy!
Afro Blue
Here’s our rendition of Mongo Santamaria’s exciting Latin tune “Afro Blue,” from our “All About the Blues” concert at the Nash jazz club on July 31, 2022.
This selection features Ray Botte on tenor sax and Jeff Pellaton on drums. Enjoy!
St. Louis Blues
Here’s a classic blues tune from our “All About the Blues” concert at the Nash jazz club on July 31, 2022.
This selection features Ray Botte on tenor sax and Andy Rich on trumpet. Enjoy!
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Here’s the lovable theme song from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, composed by Fred Rogers himself! This was performed at our “Big Screen / Little Screen” show at the Nash jazz club on April 23, 2022.
The trombone soloist is Rain Woodward and the tenor sax soloist is Ray Botte. Enjoy!
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Here’s Randy Newman’s composition, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from Toy Story. This was part of our “Big Screen / Little Screen” show at the Nash jazz club on April 23, 2022.
The alto sax soloist is Mike Wojciechowicz. Enjoy!
Meet the Flintstones
Here’s our take on one of the greatest TV theme songs ever. This was part of our “Big Screen / Little Screen” show at the Nash jazz club on April 23, 2022.
The tenor sax soloist is Ray Botte.
Chicharrón
Here’s an original composition by our director, LaShaun Tweedie, performed live during “An Afternoon of Latin Jazz” at the Nash jazz club on October 30, 2021.
Featured soloists: Paul Brewer, tenor sax; Juan Rodriguez, trumpet; Jeff Pellaton, drums; Travis Rowland, Jr., percussion.
Yram
Here’s an original composition by our director, LaShaun Tweedie, performed live during “An Afternoon of Latin Jazz” at the Nash jazz club on October 30, 2021.
Andy Rich is featured on flugelhorn and trumpet.
Isfahan
Here is our take on the beautiful Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn ballad “Isfahan.”
In this performance, we feature our guest artist Eric Rasmussen on alto sax. Enjoy!
When You’re Smiling
Here’s a happy, swinging tune from our performance at the Nash jazz club in Phoenix in August, 2019. Enjoy!
The Girl from Ipanema
This song was going to be part of our “Evening of Latin Jazz” concert in March, 2020, but sadly the pandemic struck and we had to postpone that. So, we did the next best thing.
Let Desert City Jazz transport you to Rio’s sunny world-famous beaches with this swinging arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s classic “The Girl from Ipanema.”
Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
Here’s another video from our performance last year at the Nash, to tide you over until we can meet again. This beautiful ballad features our guest artist Eric Rasmussen on alto sax. Enjoy!
Sweet Georgia Brown
Since we can’t perform live, we would like share a video from our performance last year at the Nash. Enjoy!
Desert Jazz Opener
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Desert City Jazz remotely recorded this video of our new theme song, “Desert Jazz Opener,” composed by our director LaShaun Tweedie. Enjoy!
Tune for My Dad
On December 17, 2018, Desert City Jazz performed at the Nash jazz club in Phoenix, Arizona. Our special guest was composer/arranger Mike Shellans, who also served as guest conductor for his pieces. This tune was written in memory of Mike’s father, Herb Shellans. Enjoy!
F.I.T.H. People
Another fantastic Mike Shellans composition. It’s just another 12-bar blues … in 5/4 time. See how many quotes from famous 5/4 tunes you can identify!