Appreciating a Nestico chart the other day. Unison rhythms that just swung. I recently finished a 70's pop chart. Lots of unison lines but intricate rhythms. Quite a bit of work. Looking at the score of a swing master made me realize that simplifying an arrangement can really work and you probably get more "bang for your buck." That is, I might over-write my charts at times. Let's take that lesson into my next assignment. 

Playing in a small group tomorrow. Been a while since I played some standards and really, I mean really, played jazz. I often do it within the confines of the big band and it can be hit or miss. If you are not familiar with the melody of a big band chart, it is more difficult (I feel) to sell a solo, as it can be detached from the arrangement. In a smaller group, the melody can really be the thread that holds the music together. By "the melody," I mean the rhythmic, melodic, stylistic, and dynamic aspects of that melody - not just the notes. You really need to know the tune inside and out and then you can hint at that melody. Looking forward to doing that. 

Working hard in preparation for some change. Let's just leave it at that. Sometimes a radical change is a good motivator. Buy a new mouthpiece, change instruments, drop that sad-sack of a boy friend (don't say that you got the idea here) . . . change scares you, it energises you - it just might get you back on track.