Bill Dobbins

A dreamy blues theme-reminiscent of Duke Ellington-with variations. The sections between the variations feature each performer in a solo which further develops the thematic material.

This is a perfect vehicle to showcase the saxes without rhythm section. After an opening statement of the melody in a close voiced Ellington style, the piece transforms into a blues march where the ba...

Medium swing, based on the chord changes of 'Pennies from Heaven'. A refreshing change for players and audience alike. Medium Grade.

The chorales and solo suites of Johann Sebastian Bach inspired Remembering the Master. In general, the dynamics and phrasing are left to the performers, as was the case in Bach's manuscripts. Performe...

Mbira Magic was inspired by a beautiful and powerful song for voice and mbira by the Rhodesian musician Simon Mashoka.

The Stranger is titled after the novel of the same name by the French existentialist philosopher and writer Albert Camus. The piece seems to capture some of the general mood of the story, with its und...

The notated transcriptions must be a landmark of sorts. These solos give a real sense of how David Liebman and Richie Beirach approach music individually, and as a duet.

These piano preludes have developed from my longtime love of the music from both the classical and jazz traditions. I have intentionally adopted a format which may or may not include improvisation. Th...

Six preludes for solo piano using vocabulary from both the classical and jazz traditions.

Six preludes for solo piano using vocabulary from both the classical and the jazz traditions. Prelude XIII (G flat) focuses on a lovely right hand melody that sits on top a constantly shifting set of...

Song for Jaco is a warm and lyrical ballad of Peter's, which is dedicated to the legendary electric bassist, Jaco Pastorius. Solo contributions are heard from the lead trumpet, the baritone saxophone...

Prism is a modal composition which is based largely on several reharmonizatios of a simple 8-bar melody. It is a jazz waltz and features the lead alto sax. Correlated with Vol. 1 of the Jazz Workshop...

This arrangement of a great Peter Erskine tune is a real tour de force for the entire ensemble, and always brings the audience to its feet. It features solo space for trombone, soprano sax, piano (or...

Clare Fischer originally recorded Strayhorn in 1962 with his trio on Surging Ahead. We have asked Bill Dobbins to arrange it as a piano feature. He completely wrote out the solo piano part so that it...

A beautiful series of harmonic variations on this well-known Christmas favorite is developed with modulations through several different keys, featuring the individual instruments in both solo and ense...

A medley of What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), The First Noel, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is developed through fresh and colorful harmonic variations. The chromatic harmonies and changes in temp...

This spirited traditional carol is taken on a musical voyage through several different tempos, keys and moods, including a Latin section with an optional shaker accompaniment. The chromatic harmonies...

Legendary jazz composer, arranger and saxophonist Bill Holman discusses his life, career and views on music with Bill Dobbins, professor at the Eastman School of Music. Holman speaks about his persona...

Band 4 mit Variationen zu Stücken von James P.Johnson, Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Th. Monk, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, mit Erläuterungen A Comprehensive Approach to Keyb...

Bye-Ya (Thelonious Monk): A bebop classic, performed in the true spirit of Monk's unique stylistic approach. Arranged for trombone and tenor sax. Con Alma (Dizzy Gillespie): Harmonically and rhythmica...

The Stranger is titled after the novel of the same name by the French existentialist philosopher and writer Albert Camus. The piece seems to capture some of the general mood of the story, with its und...

A beautiful series of harmonic variations on this well-known Christmas favorite is developed with modulations through several different keys, featuring the individual instruments in both solo and ense...

A beautiful series of harmonic variations on this well-known Christmas favorite is developed with modulations through several different keys, featuring the individual instruments in both solo and ense...

A beautiful series of harmonic variations on this well-known Christmas favorite is developed with modulations through several different keys, featuring the individual instruments in both solo and ense...

Elegy is dedicated to the memory of Bill Evans, certainly one of the most important pianists in the history of jazz, and a personal favorite of mine. It features the piano, both in written statements...