Concert Band

Tango for Joe

Trombone Solo

Soloist: Grade 6 / Band: Grade 5

Tango for Joe was written for Joe Alessi, principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic. He gave the official premiere with the Brass Band of Battle Creek on 16th May 2020 at the W K Kellogg Auditorium in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Opening with an (optional) unaccompanied recitative for the soloist, Tango for Joe then develops into a slow and sensuous tango, exploring the lyrical properties of the trombone. The opening of this theme is then taken up by the full band but is soon interrupted by a highly decorated version of the melody by the soloist. A further cadenza-like passage then leads to a faster ‘tango nuevo’ which makes up the majority of the work.

A long introduction by the band builds to the first entry of the soloist, who plays the main tango melody over a rhythmic accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the band but the soloist enters again with his own variation on the theme. After a bridge passage featuring a brief ‘question and answer’ passage, the soloist then plays a new version of the opening slow tango theme over rhythmic interpolations. After a climax the soloist presents a long and elaborate cadenza accompanied only by a solo cajon. This eventually leads to a repeat of the main theme and, after a short second cadenza, the piece ends with a flourish for band and soloist.