(Level IV) Burning, contemporary minor blues. The head is not over standard blues changes, and the melody occasionally blurs the distinction between major and minor. Parallel voicings and energy give this chart a contemporary edge. A contrapuntal section follows the head and leads to the first solo by alto 1. A soli is developed over the ostinato using material from the head and first developmental section. The lines develop rhythmically and melodically playing against and then with the ostinato. Finally, the rhythm section breaks the ostinato, and the soli plays another chorus over a swing feel. A trumpet solo follows, and then the main theme is stated in a new setting. Trumpet range is D6, but could play F6, G6 or A6 for a climatic ending! 8 Brass

View all charts by Bert Ligon

BERT LIGON is USC's director of Jazz studies. He received his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Music in jazz piano performance and arranging from the University of North Texas. With his jazz band, Bert Ligon on Condor, he has received many awards including national PBS awards, a KATIE, a SECA, and an Emmy nomination Many of his jazz band compositions are published by UNC Jazz Press. Several have been featured on CD's recorded by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band. Ligon's book, Connecting Chords with Linear Harmony, is published by Houston Publishing, Inc. He toured with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, and has performed with Randy Brecker, Mel Torme, Diane Schuur, Dianne Reeves and others. Before coming to Carolina, he taught at the University of North Texas. Ligon is president-elect of the South Carolina chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. At USC, Ligon coordinates the jazz combos, teaches jazz theory, arranging, commercial music electronics, and applied jazz lessons.