Grade Level - 3.5

"Dark Obsedian" was one of my first big band arrangements. Obsedian is another word for natural glass that is very pretty and smooth to the touch. This tune is a multi-meter latin tune that frequently switches from 4/4 to 3/4 with navigation through some fairly complex chord progressions. The feel is like a bossa nova with the 3/4 measures feeling like a beat is dropped, adding tension to the phrase endings. The solo changes are in the first trombone and first trumpet. This tune would make a neat addition to the latin jazz genre section of any jazz band's repertoire.