Jazz Arrangers a century of big band writing, 1920s–present

Jazz arranging · Contemporary & Hybrid Jazz

RobMcConnell

1935–2010 arranger · composer · orchestrator

McConnell's arranging style featured excellent brass writing combining sophisticated harmonies with strong swing feeling, showcasing the…

iridescent colorexpansive registerbalanced space
Portrait of Rob McConnell
Courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate c/o Guy MacPherson, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Predominant era
Contemporary & Hybrid Jazz
Lifespan
1935–2010
Signature
iridescent color
00

Bio · 41 words

Robert Murray Gordon McConnell was born in London, Ontario, Canada, and became one of North America's finest big band leaders and arrangers. He played valve trombone and led the Boss Brass, an all-brass and rhythm big band, for over 40 years.

01

Musical style

Sound DNA

Five shared dimensions make the arranger’s musical priorities visible at a glance.

Rob McConnell sound DNA Comparative profile of color, space, register, density, and motion.
The same scale is used throughout the collection.
Color96

Iridescent

Instrumental color leads the design.

Space64

Balanced

Space and activity stay in balance.

Register85

Expansive

Wide spans define the orchestral frame.

Density60

Layered

Several musical planes coexist.

Motion60

Elastic

The rhythmic feel expands and contracts.

02

Orchestration

Technique deck

Select a card to spotlight a device drawn from this arranger’s orchestral language.

03

Music first

Scores & orchestras

Switch recordings to compare how this arranger’s musical priorities shape each orchestral profile.

Big Band Jazz · 1979

Big Band Jazz

McConnell's arrangements for the Boss Brass showcase his distinctive approach to all-brass big band.

Listen forNotice how color shapes the orchestral profile.

Find listening example on YouTube
Comparative orchestral profile
Color 87
Register 78
Density 55
Motion 55
iridescent colorexpansive registerbalanced space

Profile derived from the arranger’s documented style and recording notes; exact instrumentation is not asserted.

04

Start here

Three essential albums

One line each—enough context to choose the next listen.

  1. 01 1979 Big Band JazzRob McConnell and the Boss Brass McConnell's arrangements for the Boss Brass showcase his distinctive approach to all-brass big band.
  2. 02 1983 OvertimeRob McConnell and the Boss Brass McConnell's arrangements here demonstrate his mature style.
  3. 03 1993 Our 25th YearRob McConnell and the Boss Brass McConnell's arrangements celebrating the band's longevity demonstrate sustained quality over decades.