When I play or write music,

I gather ideas with an open mind, ears, and heart,

creating something unique in that single moment.

Jazz Arrangements:

This big band arrangement of Miles’ Davis “All Blues” was a winner in the category of Outstanding Large Ensemble Arrangement (Undergraduate) in 2014 in the 37th annual Student Downbeat Magazine Awards.

The piece was recorded & released on the UNLV jazz division’s CD “Smoke in Mirrors” (Disc 1) in 2014, & features the arranger (Carlos Mata-Alvarez) on tenor sax & Las Vegas trumpeter/composer, Jorge Machain.

This big band arrangement of Henderson’s “Bye Bye Blackbird” was recorded & released by UNLV’s Jazz Ensemble 1 on their record, “Smoke in Mirrors” (Disc 1) in 2014.

The piece features solos world class tenor saxophone artist Ed Calle from Miami, FL & a solo from LA based bassist, RJ Reyes.

This big band arrangement of Coltrane’s ballad “Central Park West” was recorded & released by UNLV’s Jazz Ensemble 1on their 2015 record, “Characters” (Disc 1).

The arranger (Carlos Mata-Alvarez) is featured on soprano saxophone, along with Las Vegas pianist Jason Corpuz.

This extended big band arrangement of Carmichael’s “Skylark” was recorded by the Frost Concert Jazz Band. French horns & tuba were added to emulate the style of composer/arranger, Gil Evans.

The piece features the woodwind section on doubles (flutes & clarinets) along with a solo tenor sax part recorded by Chris Thompson-Taylor.

I first heard this tune on Geissendoerfer’s record, “Colors,” & was enamored by its groove and melodic contour. At the time I was a member of his Latin Jazz Ensemble at UNLV during my undergraduate degree. I decided to craft an arrangement for our group which was eventually recorded & released on the UNLV jazz division’s CD “Smoke in Mirrors” (Disc 2). Our group eventually went on to win Downbeat Magazine’s Student Award for Outstanding Latin Jazz Ensemble three years in a row & was eventually recorded another two records.

This arrangement features many members of the band: Jorge Machain on flugelhorn, Halsey Harkins on piano, & Julian Tanaka on tenor saxophone.

This arrangement of Sammy Fain’s “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing” was recorded by UNLV Joe Williams Sextet. This was a scholarship group at UNLV (which I was a part of for three years) that became a hub for my small group writing as a young composer/arranger.

This arrangement was released on UNLV’s jazz division’s CD, “Characters” (Disc 3) in 2015 & features the arranger (Carlos Mata-Alvarez) on tenor, along with Nick Veslany on trombone.

Like what you see/hear?

Contact Carlos here to hire/commission him to write a piece for your band or ensemble!