"Your music has a very good 'feel'... all the right elements.
Isn't it great to be doing what you love most?"
- Sammy Nestico
Isn't it great to be doing what you love most?"
- Sammy Nestico
New for 2026...
Them There Eyes
by Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber and William Tracey; arranged by Bryan Kidd ADVANCED Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra... and especially Billie Holliday. All had a hand in making "Them There Eyes" the enduring Maceo Pinkard tune it is. Even today, it calls to a newer generation of artists like Sir Rod Stewart (with Jools Hollands) to leave their imprint. This arrangement by Bryan Kidd was written for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of the fabulous trombone virtuoso, Buddy Morrow. In addition to a swingin' two-chorus romp for the sax section, there's space to open it up for anyone who wants to take a chorus.
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Them There Eyes - Video Score
Them There Eyes - full performance with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
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As performed at the 2025 MidWest Conference
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Catch the Spirit
EASY For developing players, "Catch the Spirit" is a fun, toe-tapping gospel/rock composition reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson’s “Gospel John”. Excellent for teaching ensemble and sectional blend, time and style, each section — winds and rhythm — bring their own unique element to the totality of the performance.
Catch the Spirit Video Score
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Blues Conference
ADVANCED The essence of big band jazz is Count Basie and the blues: a toe-tapping groove, solos, huge dynamic contrasts and a whisper-to-a-roar shout chorus. Solos for piano, trombone and trumpet... or open it up for others among your "conferees."
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Recent Performances...
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The Mason Singers with AFPO singing "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"
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Holiday Pops '24 with the American Festival Pops Orchestra
Bryan added five new arrangements to the AFPO's Holiday repertoire beginning with Dr. Darden Purcell singing a most swinging version of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" (which Bryan transcribed from Natalie Cole's London Symphony performance). Dr. Purcell's fabulous George Mason University vocal jazz ensemble, The Mason Singers, backed her on The Carpenter's "Merry Christmas, Darling" and Elvis' "Santa Claus is Back in Town". The Mason Singers were then front-stage-center for Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." Bryan also collaborated with AFPO conductor Peter Wilson to recreate Jascha Heifetz's 1944 arrangement of "White Christmas." See the Christmas page for availability of these arrangements. |
2024 Midwest Clinic
- Two of Bryan's recent jazz ensemble arrangements were performed by The United States Army Field Band's jazz ensemble, The Jazz Ambassadors, and clinician Richard Dunscomb at the 2024 Midwest Clinic. Bryan transcribed and adapted Maynard Ferguson's classic theme song, Blue Birdland for developing jazz ensembles. They also performed a drum solo feature Bryan arranged for The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra when it was led by trombone virtuoso, Buddy Morrow.
The American Festival Pops Orchestra American Icons
For their American Icons concert in April (2024), conductor Peter Wilson and The American Festival Pops Orchestra celebrated the music of many of America's greatest composers -- among them, Leroy Anderson, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa, William Grant Still, Joan Tower, and John Williams. Bryan added two new arrangements for AFPO's stellar vocalist, Darden Purcell: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington's "Love You Madly" and a pairing the Gershwin brother's "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me."
For their American Icons concert in April (2024), conductor Peter Wilson and The American Festival Pops Orchestra celebrated the music of many of America's greatest composers -- among them, Leroy Anderson, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa, William Grant Still, Joan Tower, and John Williams. Bryan added two new arrangements for AFPO's stellar vocalist, Darden Purcell: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington's "Love You Madly" and a pairing the Gershwin brother's "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me."
Texas Music Educators Association Clinic / Convention 2024
Bryan's Basie-styled composition, "Blues Conference" was performed by the O'Connor High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction Alfonso Alvardo and Michael Bradford this past February.
Bryan's Basie-styled composition, "Blues Conference" was performed by the O'Connor High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction Alfonso Alvardo and Michael Bradford this past February.
2023 Midwest Clinic
- Bryan's newly released jazz ensemble composition, commissioned by All-Virginia Jazz, "Leadin' the Way," was performed by Hoover High School's First Edition jazz ensemble under the direction of Sallie Vines White at the 2023 Midwest Clinic.
- The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores, and clinician Richard Dunscomb presented new music for jazz ensemble at the 2023 Midwest Clinic. Among the selections were Bryan's original Basie-styled composition for developing jazz ensemble, "Side Door Shuffle" and his arrangement of the beautiful "Autumn Serenade" (as arranged for The Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of trombonist Larry O'Brien).
San Diego Children's Choir with
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra
The San Diego Children's Choir, Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director, teamed up with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for a fun rendition of Bryan Kidd's full orchestra adaptation of Scott Silbert's Ellington-inspired arrangement of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". Scott's chart was originally performed by The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores.
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra
The San Diego Children's Choir, Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director, teamed up with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for a fun rendition of Bryan Kidd's full orchestra adaptation of Scott Silbert's Ellington-inspired arrangement of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". Scott's chart was originally performed by The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores.
The American Festival Pops Orchestra
The American Festival Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Peter Wilson, featured nine of Bryan's arrangements at AFPO's 2023 Holiday concerts. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" are currently available, and the rest will be released in early 2024.
The American Festival Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Peter Wilson, featured nine of Bryan's arrangements at AFPO's 2023 Holiday concerts. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" are currently available, and the rest will be released in early 2024.
Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble with The American Festival Pops Orchestra
George Mason University's fabulous Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Dr. Darden Purcell, director, brought down the house with two of Bryan's arrangements, "It Happened in Sun Valley" and "The Christmas Song," at the American Festival Pops Orchestra's Holiday concert this past December. The arrangements will be released in early 2024.
George Mason University's fabulous Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Dr. Darden Purcell, director, brought down the house with two of Bryan's arrangements, "It Happened in Sun Valley" and "The Christmas Song," at the American Festival Pops Orchestra's Holiday concert this past December. The arrangements will be released in early 2024.
Dr. Darden Purcell, featured vocalist with The American Festival Pops Orchestra
As she does each Holiday Season, Dr. Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University, made it a cool Yule for American Festival Pops Orchestra's full-house concertgoers earlier this month. Bryan's arrangements for Darden of "Christmas in New Orleans," "Please Come Home for Christmas," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" will be released in early 2024.
As she does each Holiday Season, Dr. Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University, made it a cool Yule for American Festival Pops Orchestra's full-house concertgoers earlier this month. Bryan's arrangements for Darden of "Christmas in New Orleans," "Please Come Home for Christmas," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" will be released in early 2024.
Ole Miss... The University of Mississippi Choirs and LOU Orchestra
Under the direction of Donald Trott and Elizabeth Hearn, the University of Mississippi Choirs performed Bryan's "We Need a Little Christmas" arrangement with the LOU Orchestra, Selim Giray, director, at their popular annual "A Holiday Concert" on December 2nd.
Under the direction of Donald Trott and Elizabeth Hearn, the University of Mississippi Choirs performed Bryan's "We Need a Little Christmas" arrangement with the LOU Orchestra, Selim Giray, director, at their popular annual "A Holiday Concert" on December 2nd.
Lynchburg Pops Community Band
Performing Bryan's arrangement of "Out of the East," the Lynchburg Pops Community Band, Jim Meredith, conductor, got an early start to the Christmas Season this past November 28. They featured retired United States Navy Sea Chanter, Daryl Duff, Assistant Professor of Commercial Music at Liberty University. "Out of the East" was originally arranged for The United States Navy Band's guest artist, Tony Sandler (of Sandler and Young fame). It is now available for both concert band and full orchestra.
Performing Bryan's arrangement of "Out of the East," the Lynchburg Pops Community Band, Jim Meredith, conductor, got an early start to the Christmas Season this past November 28. They featured retired United States Navy Sea Chanter, Daryl Duff, Assistant Professor of Commercial Music at Liberty University. "Out of the East" was originally arranged for The United States Navy Band's guest artist, Tony Sandler (of Sandler and Young fame). It is now available for both concert band and full orchestra.
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J. W. Pepper's MyScore Composer of the Month
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Hal Leonard's ArrangeMe Staccato Spotlight
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