Richard Galliano is a French accordionist of Italian heritage. After a long and intense period of study, at 14, in a search to expand his ideas on the accordion, he began listening to jazz and heard records by the trumpet player Clifford Brown. The second decisive meeting took place in 1980, with the Argentinean composer and bandoneonist Astor Piazzolla.
Astor strongly encouraged Richard to create the French ?New Musette?, as he himself had previously invented the Argentinean ?New Tango?.
Some later collaboration include Chet Baker, Eddy Louiss, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Charlie Haden,
Gary Burton, Michel Portal, Toots Thielemans and Kurt Elling.

This arrangement for sax quartet (Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Eb Baritone) of one of his most famous and performed pieces (with clear rhythmic references to the Piazzolla's "Libertango") is suitable for classroom, repertoire and recital.

Jazz Saxophone Quartet

My Funny Valentine, from the 1937 musical 'Babes in Arms' by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, is well established as a much loved jazz standard. This version, scored for standard SATB saxophone quartet, puts the familiar melody over a relaxed funky shuffle groove, for a more contemporary twist.

There is no jazz improvisation required to play this arrangement but with several changes of style and a tricky soli section, there are plenty of moments to challenge the performers in this interesting take on a famous tune.

Difficulty Rating : Medium / Advanced