About This Offer In 1959, Gil and his orchestra did a concert at the Apollo Theater opposite Dinah Washington and Thelonious Monk. For this concert, he re-orchestrated several older arrangements for this new, smaller instrumentation. The “Blues for Pablo” arrangement that is offered with the Gil Evans Scores Project is from that concert, and so is this re-orchestrated version of “The Troubadour.” The original “The Troubadour” was done in 1947 for the Claude Thornhill Orchestra. This “Apollo Theater” re-orchestration from 1959, offered here for the first time and taken directly from Gil’s original manuscript score, follows Thornhill version almost exactly. There are a few slight differences (beside the instrumentation) but it is still Gil’s incredible arrangement.

I do want to warn you, this arrangement, like the Thornhill version, is really difficult – it’s in a difficult key (G# minor), and there are a passages that are tricky in all parts. That said, if your band is up for the challenge, it’s an extremely rewarding piece to perform, and sounds amazing live. As with all of Gil’s music, close attention needs to be paid to the instrumentation:

2 Reeds:
        Reed 1:  C Flute, Piccolo
        Reed 2:  Soprano Sax.
1 French Horn
3 Trumpets
    3 Trombones (2 tenor, 1 bass)
    1 Tuba
3 Rhythm (Gtr./Bass/Dms.)

In addition to the score and parts, you will also receive supplemental videos in which I explain the unique history behind my discovery of this "lost" work as well as how I rehearse each of these pieces. I will let you know the potential tripping spots and the way to make each piece come alive. I've worked on bringing this music back to life for a very long time, and it is very easy for me to now predict the areas that need addressing. I am confident that I can help you bring this music to the highest level with your own group.