#bigband sectionals: a must in #jazz

Getting together with the trombones tonight for a sectional. Looking forward to it. I have played in a lot of big bands and very few spent time working in sectionals. This is likely because the allure of the big band is that big band sound of 16+ players swingin' and groovin' together. Getting that many people together is always an effort so to ask for an additional commitment from any of the players is always a bit of a risk, i.e., band leaders are just happy if musicians show up for the full rehearsal, let alone sectionals. This is not to say that enthusiastic sections do not steal away from a few minutes, here-and-there, to work on some parts. This is common. I cannot really pat myself on the back too much, as my band's sectionals are sporadic. I do know the value of "cleaning-up" a section away from the band and then reinserting that sound, providing new life for the ensemble. Maybe this blog will kick my own butt. We'll see.