Tom Kubis (b. 1953)

Biography

Tom Kubis was born in California and became an active saxophonist, composer, and arranger in Los Angeles. He studied at North Texas State University and established himself in L.A.’s competitive music scene. Kubis has led his own big band for decades while arranging for various artists and ensembles. He’s also written extensively for educational contexts, creating arrangements performed by school and college bands worldwide. Kubis has worked in film and television while maintaining his jazz credentials. His work demonstrates that traditional big band values remain relevant when executed at high levels. Kubis represents the continuation of West Coast big band tradition, keeping the idiom vital through quality writing and performance. His success balancing commercial work, education, and artistic jazz shows the versatility required of contemporary arrangers.

Musical Style

Kubis’s arranging style combines big band tradition with contemporary approaches, featuring strong melodies, exciting rhythms, and sophisticated harmonies. His arrangements demonstrate solid craftsmanship and understanding of big band orchestration, with clear section writing and effective voice leading. What distinguishes Kubis’s work is its accessibility combined with substance—his charts are sophisticated enough to satisfy musicians yet remain engaging for listeners. His voicings are modern yet rooted in tradition, incorporating contemporary harmonies while maintaining swing feeling. Kubis writes effectively for all levels, from student bands to professional ensembles, adapting his approach while maintaining standards. His style emphasizes melody, rhythm, and clarity—Kubis’s arrangements always serve musical communication. His work represents professional competence in service of musical expression.

Orchestration Techniques

Kubis’s orchestrations reflect the West Coast big band tradition of clarity and accessibility, employing standard four-way close and drop-2 voicings that ensure reliable intonation and blend across different ensemble skill levels. His brass writing utilizes comfortable ranges with lead trumpet typically staying below high D, making his charts playable by both professional and educational ensembles without sacrificing musical effectiveness. Sectional writing demonstrates solid understanding of traditional big band principles, with saxophones and brass functioning as distinct choirs that combine during tutti passages using block chord voicings in rhythmic unison. Contrapuntal techniques include simple yet effective two-part writing where brass and saxophones maintain independent melodic lines that converge at phrase endings, creating interest through horizontal motion without excessive vertical complexity. Kubis’s register usage emphasizes the middle frequencies where instruments blend naturally, avoiding extreme high trumpet writing and positioning the saxophone section in its most resonant range. His saxophone voicings typically employ the standard five-part structure with minimal doubling, creating fullness while maintaining clarity of each voice. Rhythmic notation is clear and unambiguous, with specific articulation markings that define swing style without requiring extensive interpretation, making his charts accessible to players at various experience levels. Textural approaches favor medium density that allows rhythm section interaction, avoiding over-orchestration that would diminish the essential swing feeling. Kubis’s preferred configuration is the standard seventeen-piece big band, allowing him to use proven voicing structures while maximizing playability. Dynamic architecture employs traditional big band dynamics with gradual builds from piano to forte, using orchestrational layering to create excitement rather than relying on complex textural manipulations. His signature technique involves writing melodically strong themes that are harmonized using traditional drop voicings but enhanced with contemporary chord extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) that add harmonic color without obscuring the fundamental voice leading, creating a sound that bridges traditional and modern approaches effectively.

Top Albums

Tom Kubis Big Band - “Live at the Moonlight” (1995)

Kubis’s arrangements for his own big band showcase his approach to contemporary big band writing. His charts feature solid swing feeling with contemporary harmonic touches and effective orchestration. What makes these arrangements effective is their balance—Kubis writes music that challenges players while remaining accessible and swinging. His composition “Night Song” demonstrates his gift for creating memorable melodies with interesting harmonic settings. The album represents quality contemporary big band jazz from the West Coast tradition.

Tom Kubis - “Slightly Off the Ground” (2000)

Kubis’s arrangements here show continued development and refinement. His charts maintain strong swing foundations while incorporating more contemporary elements. What’s particularly notable is Kubis’s writing for soloists—his arrangements provide excellent frameworks that enhance improvisation. His arrangement of standards alongside originals shows his versatility and his respect for jazz tradition. The album demonstrates Kubis’s mature style: professional, swinging, and musically substantial.

Tom Kubis Big Band - “Play Time” (2010)

Kubis’s later arrangements demonstrate sustained quality and continued evolution. His charts feature his signature combination of tradition and contemporary approaches, with excellent section writing and sophisticated voicings. What makes these arrangements interesting is their variety—Kubis writes effectively across different styles and tempos. His composition “Blue Skies Ahead” showcases his melodic gifts and his understanding of big band dynamics. The album proves Kubis’s continued commitment to quality big band jazz.