Big Band Arrangements, Big Band Charts, & CD's from Sierra Music (original) (raw)

Welcome.

In Memory of Bill Holman: A Note from the Desk of Bob Curnow

The passing of Willis (Bill) Holman on May 7, 2024, just prior to his 97th birthdaysadly brings back into sharp focus the importance of his superb music to the world of big band jazz and to this company, Sierra Music Publications. He and I agreed to begin publishing his music 137 charts ago. With very few exceptions, Sierra Music has been the only publisher of Holman�s music. Because of that, Bill and I spent a lot of time talking about everything from music to life in general. I�ve never engaged with someone with such a long life who was so incredibly sharp with a memory that always surprised and pleased me.

We first �hooked up� when he sent me a letter in early 1972. He and a partner were trying to start a publishing company. I was teaching at Case Western Reserve, and somehow we connected, trying to find copies of his early charts, especially the things he wrote for the Kenton band. I had been a fan of his writing since the age of 14, and my first transcription attempt was from an LP (or probably a 45) with his �Theme and Variations.� I never got further than the first 30 or 40 bars, but it was my start in a direction that never changed for me: writing. Also, one of the Capitol album covers had a shot of one of Bill�s scores, and that was my first of only very rare �lessons� in voicing and counterpoint.

In a short while, we will release two previously unavailable original works by Bill. The fact that this didn�t happen while Bill was still with us breaks my heart. �Tiburon� was commissioned by me in 1975 for inclusion in a recording of the Stan Kenton Orchestra titled �Kenton �76.� That music was buried in my files for many years, recently discovered and prepared for publication. �Sweet Spot� was written just a few years ago to feature the late, great Carl Saunders. Both pieces being released posthumously will be dedicated to Bill�s memory.

We might have gone out of business years ago without his music. We are now entering our 48th year of existence and continue to bring you exciting new music from Holman�s fertile mind. We continue to be a one-owner, independent publisher of over 800 available titles.

Bill Holman left an unmatched legacy of beautiful music for us all. I will do my very best to see that his music is available in print for many years to come. I will miss my dear friend very much as will the entire jazz community.

- Bob Curnow

. . .HOME AT LAST is HERE at last!

All profits from the sale of this CD will be donated to the family of Quindrey Davis-Murphy.

A word from Bob Curnow (starting our 48th year of Sierra Music Publications):

Below you will see a lot of new charts, the �fruits of our labor� over the past three years. Most of these pieces have possibly gone unnoticed due to Covid and the fallout from that pandemic. Now that things have returned somewhat to normal, I hope you can take the time to review this music (sound and sight best done with the YouTube links) and consider what would be attractive to and appropriate for your big bands. There is music written by the masters (Barton, Byers�.9 Basie charts, Holman, Maiden, Mathieu, Mays & Metheny, O�Farrill, Roland, Sebesky) and the brilliant contemporary writers on our staff (Darling, DeRosa, Goodwin, Sielert). And don�t miss the Steely Dan chart. Oh yeah, I�ve contributed a few things, too. I hope you enjoy listening. There are still one or two midi demos in the mix (my apologies), but all of the other tracks were either recorded by my big band or the UNT One O�Clock Lab Band. If you have any questions, don�t hesitate to call our toll-free number 1-800-255-6551. Ordering from this website is the fastest way to receive your order. Thank you for your continued support.