Cam McAllister
Cam McAllister
Australian trumpet player/composer/arranger Cam McAllister has established himself as an in demand musician, both as a jazz trumpet player and big band writer. Cam is the Musical Director of the Royal Australian Navy’s Admiral’s Own Big Band in Sydney, a position he has held since 2012.
Cam has composed and arranged countless big band charts ranging from middle school level charts through to pro level contemporary jazz orchestras. Cam’s music is performed regularly throughout Australia and several of Cam’s compositions have been recorded, most recently on the Royal Australian Navy’s Admiral’s Own Big Band latest release entitled Compositions, on which five of his original works have been recorded.
Cam was a finalist twice in the prestigious James Morrison Jazz Award on trumpet and was also one of 50 musicians handpicked worldwide for the 2008 Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music, hosted by Dave Douglas.
Cam continues to perform regularly throughout Australia with the Royal Australian Navy as well as his own big band and sextet. Cam is also a very keen darts player although his passion far outweighs his talent in this area.
Big Band Charts
Air
This lush chart in 6/4 meter is a great one to add to you program if you’re looking for something a little different but at the same time really compelling. This level 4 chart has trumpets doubling on flugelhorns and has a trumpet lead range up to written high C. Air by its very nature is intangible but if you could hear it, this is what I think it would sound like.
Price: $29.99
Kinetic Blues
Kinetic Blues is a level 5 medium-up extended blues chart with three distinctive sections and plenty of space to feature your fine soloists. Solo sections can be opened up as much or as little as desired. Lead trumpet goes up to a written high F but is generally in a pretty comfortable range. The chart finishes with a dynamic drum solo over a tutti band groove with some intricate unison sax lines. This is an exciting chart that I’m sure will be a worthy addition to your senior bands repertoire.
Price: $29.99
Samba for Norm
Dedicated to the great Australian lead trumpet player, and my main teacher Norm Harris, Samba For Norm is an exciting samba chart that will guarantee to challenge your senior jazz ensemble. With very catchy and singable melodies and various sections, Samba For Norm is a real showstopper of a chart. This is level 5 with a written trumpet range up to high G.
Price: $39.99
In a Sense, Innocence
This chart is dedicated to 3 of my nieces and in it I’ve tried to capture the innocence of youth. Set upon a playful ¾ meter, the light-hearted melody shifts through various key centers while always landing back home to F Major. The lead trumpet range goes up to a written high A (with an option to drop down an octave). This chart is a level 4+.
Price: $29.99
Blues for the Roos
Blues For The Roos is a medium tempo bluesy shuffle in the style of Sammy Nestico that I’m sure you’ll really love.
In Australia we have a fantastic sport known as Australian Rules Football (AFL) and the team for which this piece is dedicated are the Kangaroos, or “Roos” for short. The chart opens with a short lush brass chorale leading into the main shuffle theme before some stop time trombones with a winding trumpet and alto melody over the top.
A big shout chorus finishes the chart which is the team song Glory Glory Hallelujah! This level 4+ chart has a lead trumpet range up to written high E.
Price: $19.99
Night Lunch
The phrase ‘Night Lunch’ was coined by a great Sydney trumpet player by the name of Mike Kenny. When you’re a musician and you come home really late from a gig and you’re hungry but can’t be bothered to cook dinner, a little night lunch is exactly what the doctor ordered! This is a really fun chart in the style of The Sidewinder that I’m sure your band will really love. The main solo section can be opened up as much as you want to feature your soloists over a Bb boogaloo blues. Lead trumpet range goes up to a written high F and there is also the addition of a vibraphone part.This chart is sure to make you a bit peckish!
Price: $19.99