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Kaiser Bill - Len Jenkins
A jolly march in the German style that combines a characteristic bass motif with a lively melody which quickly has the audience's feet tapping and gives all members of the Band work to do. Total participation! Ideal for fetes, concerts and possibly contests at the 3rd/4th section level.
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Kinderwalzer - Len Jenkins - Len Jenkins
The title originally began as 'kind of a waltz', but the music, in typical bier-keller fast-waltz style, progresses to be more representative of a children's nursery with fun and laughter all the way. That is, until the grotesque element appears and makes you wonder what it was that you glimpsed at the back of the wardrobe? Fortunately, all is resolved before bedtime and jollity returns. Sweet dreams!
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Kleine Schlussel Marsch - Len Jenkins
Kleine Schlussel Marsch is a light German-style march, written for and dedicated to the Youth Band section of The Woburn Sands Band in 1993 by Len Jenkins.
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Laughter In The Rain - Sedaka & Cody - Len Jenkins
In America, this was Neil Sedaka's comeback single. Whilst he had 11 Top-40 hits from 1960-1963, he could not score a hit after the British Invasion of the 60's. His fortunes were such in America that this song was at first released only in England, where it went to No. 15. However, whilst recording with 10cc in London, Sedaka reconnected with his friend Elton John who offered to put out a Sedaka single in America under his own record label, Rocket Records. Since "Laughter In The Rain" was already a hit in the UK, that was the choice, and anything with Elton John's name on it was sure to get some spins. So, later in 1974, "Laughter" was released on Rocket Records with liner notes and endorsements by Elton, and the song took off, becoming his second million-seller 12 years after his first, which was "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do."
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Le Canal En Octobre - Frederic Paris - Len Jenkins
The tune that forms the basis of this arrangement for brass band was recommended to us by a good friend who plays concertina and melodeon in the traditional English Folk genre. Its delightfully simple melody is based on a French Schottische composed by Frederic Paris and is frequently played at folk music sessions where it is instantly recognised and internationally known. As a folk tune used for dancing, the piece would consist of Tune A and Tune B which would each be repeated several times in succession. In this arrangement for brass, that basic order of the melodies has been varied, and includes a brief foray into a minor key to maintain audience interest. It is not a difficult piece and should be within the capabilities of a fourth section band. However, it is recognised that not every brass band possesses a Marimba, and that part can be played on a Glockenspiel, with appropriate adjustment to fit the available range of the instrument.
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Left Bank Two - Wayne Hill - Len Jenkins
In the 1960's, a group of session musicians had some studio time left over and asked if anyone had something they wanted to try. The young vibes player, Wayne Hill came up with this tune, which they recorded on the spot, almost as a 'throwaway' piece. To viewers in the UK, it is best known as the music used in "The Gallery" sequence of 'Vision On', which was a British children's television programme, shown on BBC1 from 1964 to 1976. Tony Hart, artist and co-presenter of the programme, made pictures in a variety of sizes and media, and encouraged children to submit their own paintings to "The Gallery" for display on TV. They did so in their thousands. The piece has been used in a number of adverts including those for Volkswagen, Castrol Oil and Waitrose, and TV programmes such as NBC's America's Got Talent, The X Factor (U.S) and the BBC panel show QI. Left Bank Two features a Vibraphone solo with Brass Band accompaniment. For those bands that do not have a Vibraphone, an alternative solo for a B flat instrument is included.
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Mele Kalikimaka - Robert Alex Anderson - Len Jenkins
Mele Kalikimaka is an Hawaiian-themed Christmas song, written in 1949 by Robert Alex Anderson. The song takes its title from the Hawaiian phrase, "Mele Kalikimaka" meaning ''Merry Christmas'' Hawaiian has a different language system, and does not have the 'r'or 's' we have in English - thus our "Merry Christmas" becomes "Mele Kalikimaka". This arrangement offers a very different view of Christmas from the norm, which can be refreshing in a Concert of traditional carols, and allows for a solo feature section, if required, for Kazoos - great fun!
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Merry Christmas Polka - Sonny Burke - Len Jenkins
"Sonny" Burke was an American arranger, composer, Big Band leader and producer who during the 1940s and 1950s worked as an arranger for the Charlie Spivak and Jimmy Dorsey bands, among others. In 1955, along with Peggy Lee, he wrote the songs to Disney's Lady and the Tramp.Later he became musical director of Warner Bros. Records / Reprise Records and was responsible for many of Frank Sinatra's albums, and produced Sinatra's recording of "My Way". He was also the bandleader for recordings of leading singers such as Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters a highly successful close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras, and it was with them that Merry Christmas Polka became famous.
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Muss i' Denn - Schilter - Len Jenkins
Made famous as 'Wooden Heart', this piece is based on a folk song, originating from Southwest Germany. Very straightforward and jolly in this arrangement, with a middle section featuring light-hearted interjections from various members of the percussion section. Perfect for informal concerts, or garden fetes.
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Off Duty - John Dankworth - Len Jenkins
The late John Dankworth (1927-2010) made a string of recordings in the 1960s that have since come to be regarded as some of the finest British jazz of their time. Amongst these is his composition 'Off Duty' which was recorded in the 1960s when the influence of pop and rock on jazz was at its height and instruments such as the bass guitar were beginning to be incorporated into jazz's vocabulary. At this time and almost subconsciously, a Dankworth 'pop' style also evolved. This was a balanced marriage between jazz and pop which is here demonstrated in 'Off Duty' thanks to the ingenious and original orchestration by John Dankworth, and the faithful arrangement for Brass Band by one of his fans, Len Jenkins. The title is interesting as John loved to play with words. 'Off Duty' could mean relaxing away from work, but could also carry the implication of something not attracting taxation.... a sort of 'duty-free'. About the same time, the Dave Brubeck Quartet produced the seminal 'Take Five'... so could this be John's take on that title, suggesting a short break? Which meaning fits best for you? The piece would best suit the capabilities of a brass band playing at the standard of Third Section or above.