My band is playing Speak Low written by Kurt Weill and arranged by Bob Curnow. Are there any recordings that I should listen to? I've found a great recording of the Stan Kenton band playing it, but was wondering if there are any others that I should use to influence my interpretation. (PS - Curnow's arrangement is almost all Latin feel, so I'm especially trying to find recordings with a Latin groove as opposed to swing)
In case anyone is interested, here's the Kenton recording:
Re: Speak Low Recordings
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 2:46 pm
by BGuttman
Is this a trombone feature? Or is there an extended trombone solo?
If not, I would suggest looking at other pieces done as latin. Listen to Tito Puente to get the REAL Latin feel. There are good Latin arrangements (I can't think of one now) of lots of songs. Do a little searching. Figuring out Swing Low as Latin without understanding what Latin is won't really make you sound any better.
I'm sorry TTF member Sam Burtis (Sabutin) hasn't made an appearance here. If anybody can teach you what Latin is, he can.
One other thing. Learn how the tune goes. It's a tune from the Broadway show "One Touch of Venus" (based on the Pygmalion story but before "My Fair Lady"). It was originally a very sweet ballad.
Re: Speak Low Recordings
Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 3:33 pm
by herrerabone
It's a solo trombone feature (melody plus some bars). Thanks for the input!
Interesting. It doen't sound very Latin. But a nice rendition.
Note that in the beginning he's baically doing slight variations on the melody and goes off into "outer space" for the last chorus.
It would probably sound more Latin if the rhythm adopted a more Latin feel with the exact same solo over it.
Re: Speak Low Recordings
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:14 am
by afugate
BGuttman wrote: ↑Sun May 06, 2018 8:43 pm
Interesting. It doen't sound very Latin. But a nice rendition.
Note that in the beginning he's baically doing slight variations on the melody and goes off into "outer space" for the last chorus.
It would probably sound more Latin if the rhythm adopted a more Latin feel with the exact same solo over it.
Sounds like a light bossa to me...
Not aggressive like the Kenton version, but good writing.
--Andy in OKC
Re: Speak Low Recordings
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 8:25 am
by Mikebmiller
You gotta love the long hair and wide collars. Reminds me of my college jazz band in the late 70's /early 80's. I had a blue tux shirt with ruffles on the front.
Re: Speak Low Recordings
Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 5:41 am
by afugate
Mikebmiller wrote: ↑Tue May 08, 2018 8:25 am
You gotta love the long hair and wide collars. Reminds me of my college jazz band in the late 70's /early 80's. I had a blue tux shirt with ruffles on the front.
The pictures don't really go with the recording. (There are no flutes in the recording. And that's definitely bass trombone - not tuba... )
Looks like someone overlaid some clips from the 70's Kenton Band on top of the recording from the 1958 Back to Balboa album.
)