Firedance Feature

Original Themes by Allen Vizutti, Robert W. Smith & J.D. Shaw

Arranged by Shawn W. Davern

Firedance Feature 2017, Boston Brass & JMU Marching Royal Dukes

Year: 1963/1930/2017
Duration: 2:00

Difficulty: Medium Advanced 



Firedance was composed by trumpet virtuoso Allen Vizzutti.
The tune was released on Woody Herman's 1978 Album Road Father.
Firedance was later arranged by former MRD arranger and composer
Robert W. Smith. 

Caravan is an American jazz standard that was composed by 
Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington and first performed in 1936.
Caravan was later arranged for the Boston Brass by former French
hornist and arranger J.D. Shaw.

Program Notes

This arrangement was formulated as a means to showcase Boston Brass, who performed with the JMU Marching Royal Dukes in their halftime show as a special part of JMU’s “Band Day”, which took place on September 16th, 2017. The arrangement draws material from J.D. Shaw’s arrangement of Duke Ellington’s Caravan, which is one of Boston Brass’ repertoire staples, and Robert W. Smith’s initial MRD arrangement of Allen Vizzutti’s tune Firedance. This video was taken on September 14th, 2017 at a JMU MRD Rehearsal. I’m still irreparably humbled to have been able to work and write for my personal heroes!