Composer / Educator
Steve Szabo
About Steve
Steve is an award winning composer, educator and music director based in Ottawa, Canada.
Featured Charts
This contemporary straight eighth tune, written in 7, was inspired by Jean Paul Riopelle’s painting, Pavane (Tribute to the Water Lilies), that is part of the National Gallery of Canada’s permanent collection. Just like Riopelle’s triptych, the piece has three distinct sections with the first and last sections being similar, but not identical. In an attempt to portray Riopelle’s work, the piece layers different textures, and also uses the chords from Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane.
Solo space is provided for Tenor 1, Alto 1, Guitar and Drums.
Style: Big Band - Straight Eighths / Odd Meter
Difficulty: Grade 4.5 (Medium - Advanced)
Ranges: Trumpet 1 - written C6, Trombone 1 F4
Rhythm Parts: Piano and Bass are fully notated, but chord symbols are included. Guitar is notated with some slash marks.
Instrumentation
Voice (Opt.)
Reeds:
***Please note that reed parts with, and without, doublings are provided for this chart.***
Reed 1 - Alto Sax and Flute
Reed 2 - Alto Sax and Clarinet
Reed 3 - Tenor Sax and Clarinet
Reed 4 - Tenor Sax and Clarinet
Reed 5 - Bari Sax and Bass Clarinet
Brass:
4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones
Rhythm:
Vibraphone (Opt.), Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums
Before there are words, all we have are smiles, laughs and the looks in between. This piece was inspired by those special moments shared between the composer, his wife and their son Luke. While the song is a ballad, it layers a variety of textures and feels in the rhythm section, building to a climax during the second solo section toward the end of the tune.
Solo space is provided for Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1 and Guitar
Style: Ballad
Difficulty: Grade 4 (Medium)
Ranges: Trumpet 1 - written C6, Trombone 1 E4
Rhythm Parts: Piano and Bass are fully notated, Guitar is a combination of notated parts and slash marks.
Instrumentation
Reeds:
Reed 1 - Alto Sax
Reed 2 - Alto Sax
Reed 3 - Tenor Sax
Reed 4 - Tenor Sax
Reed 5 - Bari Sax
Brass:
4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones
Rhythm:
Vibraphone (opt.). Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums
The Man With Two Hats is a permanent resident of Commissioners Park in Ottawa, and this striking bronze statue has been affectionately named Dan by the composer’s son. This jazz waltz portrays the trips the composer takes with his son and wife to visit Dan, conveying images of a beautiful park setting along the water, while also portraying Dan’s striking height!
Solo space is provided for Alto 1, Tenor 1, Bari Sax and Guitar.
Style: Big Band - Jazz Waltz
Difficulty: Grade 4 (Medium)
Ranges: Trumpet 1 - written Bb5, Trombone 1 G4
Rhythm Parts: Piano and Bass are fully notated, but chord symbols are included. Guitar is notated with some slash marks.
Instrumentation
Voice (Opt.)
Reeds:
Reed 1 - Alto Sax
Reed 2 - Alto Sax
Reed 3 - Tenor Sax
Reed 4 - Tenor Sax
Reed 5 - Bari Sax
Brass:
4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones
Rhythm:
Vibraphone (Opt.), Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums