Salsa

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHYcaHxspOc

"Mambo de Chocobo” 
Nobuo Uematsu 
Arr: Tyler J. Mire 

-Score Link: https://bit.ly/2TQqCJT 

Mixed/Edited By: Tyler J. Mire 
Mastered by: Mike Haynes 

Back in the late 90s, when my obsessions with JRPGs began, I found a newly translated rom of a game I had never played before: Final Fantasy V. I loved FF7, FF6, and FF4 so I played this immediately. I was blown away! The incredible job system, the fast, light hearted pace of the plot, young Tyler was in heaven.

Fast forward to 2012, where as a member of my university's VGM Ensemble I did a small group arrangement of “Mambo de Chocobo” (Uematsu’s arrangement of the chocobo theme for the series’ 5th installment.) I decided to do a slightly different take by alternating between the mambo feel of the original and swing on the bridge sections. This fall, as I updated this for my big band to record, I decided to also pay tribute to Tito Puente by quoting some phrases from his famous mambo “Ran Kan Kan”. Throughout the rhythm section grooves hard, buoyed by our drummer Jesse Myers and bassist Katie Blomartz. Yamaha flute artist (and Tyler Mire Big Band alumnus) Daniel Pardo dazzles with his spectacular solo phrases and high octave ensemble playing. After a send off (that references one of Final Fantasy’s most iconic jingles), esteemed jazz artist Luis Hernandez provides a captivating solo that takes the piece into a full band soli! The soli is TOUGH and the band just nails it! At the end we give our drummer, Jesse Myers a short vamp to solo over. The solo is truncated for the virtual venue, but on a live gig I could imagine this going on long! The last tutti stinger puts trumpeters Jason Levi and Micah Bell on the naughty list. Also make sure to stay till the end to hear Ian Calhoun’s incredible pedal G!

I hope you enjoy this arrangement, this was the most fun I’ve had in months. Kweh!

Reeds: 
Daniel Pardo (Flute/Piccolo)
Jimmy Bowland (lead Alto Sax) 
Brett McDonald (Alto Sax) 
Luis Hernandez (Tenor Sax) 
Howi Dietz (Tenor Sax) 
Kelsey Mire (Bari Sax) 

Trumpets: 
Tyler Mire (lead) 
Micah Bell
Jason Levi
Thomas Eby 
Thomas Davis

Trombones: 
Joe Jackson (lead) 
Luke Brimhall
DJ Rice
Ian Calhoun

Rhythm: 
Shawn Purcell - Guitar 
Ruscle Torres - Keyboard 
Katie Blomartz - Upright Bass 
Jesse Myers - Drums

Critical Hits

Mambo de Chocobo

Searching for Friends: a Big Band Jazz Tribute to Final Fantasy VI

The Decisive Battle

Kefka's theme from Final Fantasy 6 reimagined as a salsa tune!

See more at youtube.com/orchestralfantasy

Salsa

Quentinpey