Child’s Play: Music of the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra

Ensemble: NEC Jazz Orchestra

Conductor: Ken Schaphorst

Artists: Amanda Ekery (Voice), Sam Jones (Voice), Brian Kim (Voice), Monica Pabelonio (Voice), Peter Vode (Voice), Hunter Smith (Clarinet, Sopranino Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone), Isaiah Johnson (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Tenor Saxophone), Daniel Sagastume (Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet), Yu Wang (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone), Nigel Yancey (Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Recorder), Patrick Noonan (Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet), Jeffrey Cox (Trumpet), Tree Palmedo (Trumpet), Massimo Paparello (Trumpet), Alex Quinn (Trumpet), Tyler Bonilla (Trombone), Blake Manternach (Trombone), Xizngyu Tian (Trombone), Joe Ricard (Bass Trombone, Tuba), Charles Overton (Harp), Inigo Ruiz de Gondejuela (Piano), Max Light (Guitar), James Dale (Double Bass), Harrison Honor (Percussion), Julian Loida (Percussion), Eladio Rojas (Drums)

The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra was one of the most creative large jazz ensembles in the history of jazz. Eddie Sauter and Bill Finegan both developed their reputation during the 1940’s, writing for many of the most successful big bands. Sauter's arrangements and original compositions such as "Benny Rides Again," and "Clarinet a la King" provided Goodman with some of his biggest hits. And when Glenn Miller heard Finegan’s “Lonesome Road,” written for Tommy Doresy, Miller quickly hired him to arrange several of his biggest hits, including “Little Brown Jug,” “Song of the Volga Boatmen” and “Sunrise Serenade.” When they formed the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in 1952, the typical big band instrumentation was expanded to feature instruments rarely heard in the traditional big band, including piccolo, recorder, tuba, harp, celeste, timpani, and marimba. The group started with a three-year contract with RCA Victor. And their first recording session on May 12, 1952, included “Doodletown Fifers,” an arrangement of a Civil War tune called “Kingdom Coming and the Year of Jubilo,” which rose to #12 on the charts and became the band’s theme song. Their arrangement of “Nina Never Knew,” recorded later that same year, also became a minor hit. With the success of the singles, they put together a 21-member touring ensemble and began playing live in 1953. But the size of the band, combined with their focus on playing concert music, made touring a challenge. And the group disbanded in 1957. Bill Finegan was a teacher and mentor to several significant composers and arrangers, including Nelson Riddle and former NEC faculty member Bob Brookmeyer.

This concert would not have been possible without the help of Yale University’s Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, which houses the archives of both Eddie Sauter and Bill Finegan. The families of Eddie Sauter and Bill Finegan have also been extremely helpful in supporting this endeavor. Thanks also to alum Dan Gabel for his continuing help.

Program

Finegan: Lonesome Road

Traditional: Song of the Volga Boatmen

Davis/Wolf: Azure Té (Paris Blues)

Finegan/Sauter: Doodletown Fifers

Sauter: 10,000 B.C.

Finegan: Child’s Play

Sauter: Horseplay

Ford: Rain

Finegan: Finegan’s Wake

Finegan/Sauter: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Alter/Drake: Nina Never Knew

Finegan/Sauter: The Loop
Amanda Ekery (Voice), Sam Jones (Voice), Brian Kim (Voice), Monica Pabelonio (Voice), Peter Vode (Voice), Hunter Smith (Clarinet, Sopranino Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone), Isaiah Johnson (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Tenor Saxophone), Daniel Sagastume (Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet), Yu Wang (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone), Nigel Yancey (Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Recorder), Patrick Noonan (Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet), Jeffrey Cox (Trumpet), Tree Palmedo (Trumpet), Massimo Paparello (Trumpet), Alex Quinn (Trumpet), Tyler Bonilla (Trombone), Blake Manternach (Trombone), Xizngyu Tian (Trombone), Joe Ricard (Bass Trombone, Tuba), Charles Overton (Harp), Inigo Ruiz de Gondejuela (Piano), Max Light (Guitar), James Dale (Double Bass), Harrison Honor (Percussion), Julian Loida (Percussion), Eladio Rojas (Drums)

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