Terra Firma Irma – Joe Gordon
A hard swinging, peppy medium-up piece. Two arrangements available: the original sextet from Joe Gordon and the version by Brian Lynch's quintet. Lead sheets and parts available for each. Transcribed trumpet solos of both Gordon and Lynch available as well. Check out the Minus You practice tracks on the Unsung Heroes album, where you can practice any part accompanied by a professional ensemble.
- Recording: Joe Gordon - Lookin' Good
- Recorded on: July 11, 12, and 18, 1961
- Label: Contemporary (M 3597)
- Concert Key: B-flat minor
- Style: Swing (medium up)
- Trumpet - Joe Gordon
- Alto Sax - Jimmy Woods
- Piano - Dick Whittington
- Bass - Jimmy Bond
- Drums - Milt Turner
This upbeat piece swings hard with a punchy, cheerful melody. Our audio exerpts start with the descending horn introduction over a rhythmic pedal, which also becomes the B section of this AAB format composition. Joe Gordon's composition was originally arranged for a quintet (trumpet, alto sax and rhythm section), but it shines just as much with Brian Lynch's three-horn arrangement (trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, and rhythm section).
The horn arrangement harmonies are different so both the quintet (recorded by Joe Gordon) and the sextet (recorded by Brian Lynch) arrangements are available separately. Each arrangement also has a concert condensed score edition available which includes all horn parts and rhythmic hits, and we recommend that these parts are used for the rhythm section players. To accommodate varying front line instrumentations, we have various 1st part, 2nd part and 3rd part editions available.
The horn arrangement harmonies are different so both the quintet (recorded by Joe Gordon) and the sextet (recorded by Brian Lynch) arrangements are available separately. Each arrangement also has a concert condensed score edition available which includes all horn parts and rhythmic hits, and we recommend that these parts are used for the rhythm section players. To accommodate varying front line instrumentations, we have various 1st part, 2nd part and 3rd part editions available.
Don Sickler: "As a trumpet player, Joe Gordon was definitely on the path to greatness, but unfortunately died at age 35. I've been meeting a lot of young players who aren't familiar with Joe. Brian and I are determined to change this situation! Joe Gordon's work should be known by all trumpet players. See Heleen, from Joe's same recording session, for more historical information and insight."
Terra Firma Irma was written for Joe's wife, Irma.
Terra Firma Irma was written for Joe's wife, Irma.
Transcribed Trumpet Solo: Check out the start of Joe Gordon's solo trumpet. Both Joe and Brian took great trumpet solos on their recordings, and both B-flat and C treble clef editions are available. Comparing their two versions is a particularly useful exercise—seeing how two trumpet masters interpret changes in their own way will help you develop your own style. Click on the Brian Lynch "Unsung Heroes" album cover for details.
- Recording: Brian Lynch - Unsung Heroes, Volume 1
- Recorded on: October 12 & 13, 2008
- Label: Hollistic Music Works (HMW 1)
- Concert Key: B-flat minor
- Style: Swing (medium up)
- Trumpet - Brian Lynch
- Alto Sax - Vincent Herring
- Tenor Sax - Alex Hoffman
- Piano - Rob Schneiderman
- Bass - David Wong
- Drums - Pete Van Nostrand
This upbeat piece swings hard with a punchy, cheerful melody. Our audio excerpts start with the descending horn introduction over a rhythmic pedal, which also becomes the B section of this AAB format composition. Joe Gordon's composition was originally arranged for a quintet (trumpet, alto sax, and rhythm section), but it shines just as much with Brian Lynch's three-horn arrangement (trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, and rhythm section).
The horn arrangement harmonies are different so both the quintet and the sextet arrangements are available separately. Each arrangement also has a concert condensed score edition available (which includes all horn parts and rhythmic hits), and we recommend that these parts are used for the rhythm section players. To accommodate varying front line instrumentations, we have various 1st part, 2nd part and 3rd part editions available. There's also a bass part. The Condensed Score and the bass part are listed under EXTRAS on the right.
To play the arrangement like Brian's group did, get B-flat Trumpet 1st part, E-flat Alto Sax 2nd part, B-flat Tenor Sax 3rd part.
Exclusive audio: Brian's complete track from the "Unsung Heroes" project is available, plus minus you tracks. Click on the Minus You tab for details.
The horn arrangement harmonies are different so both the quintet and the sextet arrangements are available separately. Each arrangement also has a concert condensed score edition available (which includes all horn parts and rhythmic hits), and we recommend that these parts are used for the rhythm section players. To accommodate varying front line instrumentations, we have various 1st part, 2nd part and 3rd part editions available. There's also a bass part. The Condensed Score and the bass part are listed under EXTRAS on the right.
To play the arrangement like Brian's group did, get B-flat Trumpet 1st part, E-flat Alto Sax 2nd part, B-flat Tenor Sax 3rd part.
Exclusive audio: Brian's complete track from the "Unsung Heroes" project is available, plus minus you tracks. Click on the Minus You tab for details.
Brian recorded this song as part of his "Unsung Heroes" project. This project selected less-familiar works from under-recognized trumpet masters like Joe, Idrees Sulieman, Louis Smith, and Tommy Turrentine. Brian also wrote his own tributes to these masters for this project. To learn more about this critically acclaimed series, listen here to Brian talking about the project.
Also check out the video of Brian's recording session on vimeo.
See all available titles from Volume 1 and Volume 2
Also check out the video of Brian's recording session on vimeo.
See all available titles from Volume 1 and Volume 2
Transcribed Trumpet Solo: Here's the start of Brian Lynch's solo trumpet. Both Joe and Brian took great trumpet solos on their recordings, and both B-flat and C treble clef editions are available. Comparing their two versions is a particularly useful exercise—seeing how two trumpet masters interpret changes in their own way will help you develop your own style. Click on the Joe Gordon album cover for details.
Exclusive audio: Brian's complete track clip from the "Unsung Heroes" project is available, plus minus you tracks.
We're excited to offer a variety of practice tracks that allow any instrumentalist to play with the other members of the "Unsung Heroes" recording. These sample audio clips start with the melody.
tp minus 1st part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
clip2 minus 2nd part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
clip1 minus 3rd part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
cliphn minus all horns (so you can play it in a quartet setting and you are the only soloist)
clippno minus piano (you play with the whole original recorded track - comp and solo; get the C Condensed Score Heroes)
clipba minus bass (you play with the whole original recorded track)
clipdr minus drums (you play with the whole original recorded track; get the C Condensed Score Heroes)
We're excited to offer a variety of practice tracks that allow any instrumentalist to play with the other members of the "Unsung Heroes" recording. These sample audio clips start with the melody.
tp minus 1st part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
clip2 minus 2nd part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
clip1 minus 3rd part (so you can play along with the other parts - but you are the only soloist)
cliphn minus all horns (so you can play it in a quartet setting and you are the only soloist)
clippno minus piano (you play with the whole original recorded track - comp and solo; get the C Condensed Score Heroes)
clipba minus bass (you play with the whole original recorded track)
clipdr minus drums (you play with the whole original recorded track; get the C Condensed Score Heroes)
Joe Gordon
May 15, 1928 – November 4, 1963
Trumpeter Joe Gordon was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. As a teenager, he became a fan of the Count Basie band, and especially trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison. Later, Joe was impressed by a live performance of "Little" Benny Harris with the Coleman Hawkins/Don Byas group. Soon after, he took a modern music class at the New England Conservatory taught by trumpeter Fred Berman. Read more...