St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins Brass Quintet - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1463555

A saxophonist was playing this catchy song outside New Orleans' Cafe du Monde one morning when I was visiting. When I figured out what the tune was, I was driven to arrange it for our quintet. The result is at least good for one illustration: If you thought you needed drums for calypso or Latin, think again. Horns work pretty well.
Jazz tenor sax great Sonny Rollins wrote this, mostly as a vehicle for improvisation. It's based on a Bahamian folk melody called "Sponger Money," which may or may not be based on a British folk song called "The Lincolnshire Poacher." Whatever the case, it's a variation on a song Rollins' mother sang to him when he was a child in the Virgin Islands.
This arrangement -- not as easy to play as it looks, because of the rhythms -- is for two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba. It's also perfect for the improv-impaired -- but can also serve as a framework for players who are good at it.
If you need alternative instrumentation, please contact me at wilcor@aol.com.