'Poor Butterfly' - Sammy Nestico: The Soldier Sessions

Look inside the music as Sammy Nestico recalls having loved this older tune for years, and also remembers Count Basie doing a new composition based on the original chord changes. This chart really showcases Sammy's softer side, utilizing muted brass sections and low dynamics, but then ends with a roaring shout section in the classic Nestico style.

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Educational Activities Coordinator
The United States Army Field Band
4214 Field Band Drive
STE 5330
Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-7055 About This Recording

Building on a relationship that began in 2001 with The Legacy of Sammy Nestico, the Jazz Ambassadors and Sammy Nestico are proud to present this milestone in the Perspectives educational series, Sammy Nestico: The Soldier Sessions.

Sammy Nestico’s name is synonymous with big band literature. Widely recognized as the first jazz educator to provide professional quality big band music at the middle school, high school, and college levels, he served as Chief Arranger for the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Chief Arranger for The United States Air Force Band Airmen of Note, and Arranger for the Count Basie Orchestra.

Sammy Nestico’s dedication to big band writing has been a lifelong endeavor that continues well into his nineties. His output of new music is still going strong, and the history of the big band itself can be heard throughout this recording. Some of the selections are older, reworked by Nestico for this project, and some were composed a few days before the recording session.