It is a lively and immediately accessible introduction into the world of jazz, using melodic clichés and rhythmic patterns, alongside a groovy feeling and a great challenge for young bassists to play their first concertino accompanied by a double bass quartet.

The solo double bass part remains in bass clef throughout, featuring both arco and pizzicato, with a passage left open for improvisation for the bassist with jazz skills and the opportunity to demonstrate chord changes of the blues, pentatonic scales or any devices that would fit the style of boogie. This section also includes a ‘written-out improvisation’ for bassists who prefer not to improvise.

Boogie Concertino can be played with solo double bass and double bass quartet or with larger forces.

Boogie Basses was premiered at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on 29 September 2013 by a massed bass orchestra, directed by David Heyes. The jazz soloists were Joe Prindl and Jim Rintoul.