Jonathan Stout Orchestra - Calbal 2026 - Original Contest Tune 9 - "Checkered Flag Rag"

Описание: Song 9 of 9: Since 2019, each year the @californiabalboaclassic has commissioned me to write original individual spotlight tunes for their marquis “Open Classic” division. Each tune is the same tempo, and same length, but I try to make each one different in structure, timbre and feel, while still giving each competitor something that jumps! Plus the band still has to play two more sets after this so I try to take it easy on the brass. Lastly, I can’t ever really start writing before I get back from Lindy Focus, so all 9 of this year’s tunes were written between Jan 3rd and Jan 24th, 2026.

For the final tune, since everybody is dancing at once, I feel a little more comfortable to have more solos compared to orchestrated sections. I figured we’d feature more of Craig on vibes, because who doesn’t love vibes, and feature Riley on the trombone (killer choice of mute/tone on his part), and Sam again on bass, but this time with a stop-time walking/slap solo. I also opted to have the key go up a fourth at every new section. I wote the final sax riff, and then the plunger brass part, and it didn’t feel full enough, so I had the trombones do glissandos on their own instead of being written with the trumpets. Of course, having Myles ride-out over top of that on clarinet also took it up a notch. Lastly, I’d meant to use the “Flying Home”-style triplet break at some point during the comps, and after using in an usual way on the intro, I wanted to call back to it at the end. Of course, after the end of playing 8 spotlights and an allskate (or 7 spotights and 2 allskates as the case may have been), it was time for that final lap, hence “Checkered Flag Rag”.

And for anybody unaware, the dancers have never heard the tune, so they are improvising, and the band only has one run through of each tune at soundcheck.

Solos from Craig Fundyga, Riley Baker, Sam Rocha, and Myles Prower Daviw

The Jonathan Stout Orchestra:
Nate Ketner - alto / clarinet
Myles Prower Davis - alto/clarinet
Brian Clancy - tenor/clarinet
John Lindsay - tenor/clarinet/bari
Michael Campagna - trumpet
Ryan DeWeese - trumpet
Barbara Laronga - trumpet
Jim Ziegler - trumpet
Riley Baker - trombone
Remeé Ashley - trombone
Eric Hevron-Smith - trombone
Chris Dawson - piano
Sam Rocha - bass
Josh Collazo - drums
Craig Fundyga - vibraphone
Hilary Alexander - vocal / co-leader
Jonathan Stout - guitar / co-leader