News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

NEW for Young Jazz Ensemble Friday, August 05, 2016

recommended by Ben H., Jazz Music Specialist

Start your young jazz ensemble off this fall with a hot new chart! These new publications are perfect for young groups (about Grade 1-Grade 3), and can help you teach lots of jazz styles – swing, blues, bossa nova, funk, R&B, and more!

Back Online by Gregory Yasinitsky
Written for developing bands, this chart is a swinging, shuffle blues with a fun saxophone soli, a written or ad lib solo for trumpet, and a richly scored ensemble section. Showcasing the entire dynamic range of the band, from a whisper to a roar, it also features Kendor Konvertible scoring for 9-17 players. Each set includes a guitar chord chart by Jim Greeson and optional flute, clarinet, F horn, tuba and vibes parts.

Cajun Chili Peppers by Doug Beach & George Shutack
Looking for just the right seasoning to spice up your next program? Cajun Chili Peppers is the perfect choice! A strong, happy Latin groove is the foundation of this very easy level chart. Beginning with the drums, the horn section then states the opening fanfare, followed by a solo section, and the full ensemble takes the chart out. Scored for 4 horns with rhythm section and expandable to full big band, written or ad lib solos for all are included, along with optional parts for flute, clarinet and horn in F.

Street Smart by Doug Beach & George Shutack
Take a strong R&B groove, add a fun-to-play melody with a catchy hook, stir in some solid ensemble writing, and you have the recipe for a rock chart that will be a hit with students and audiences alike. The solo section features a 16-bar blues that will be a great vehicle for young soloists to develop their jazz chops. Scored at the very easy level for 5 horns with rhythm section and expandable to full big band, written or ad lib solos for all and optional parts for flute, clarinet and horn in F are included.

Jordu by Duke Jordan/arr. Mike Story
“Jordu” is a Duke Jordan jazz standard played by all the greats. This chart arranged by Mike Story is very accessible and swingin’ with a cool melody line. The tempo is 138 BPM and written-out solos are provided for piano, trumpet, trombone, and tenor sax. Optional parts include flute, clarinet, vibraphone, F horn, baritone horn, and tuba.

Silver Oak by Doug Beach & George Shutack
This bossa nova is a tip of the hat to jazz legend Horace Silver. Based on the chord progression to Song For My Father, this original chart provides developing players the chance to improvise over those chord changes and rhythmic groove (written or ad lib). Playable by 12-17 players, optional parts are included for flute, clarinet, horn in F, tuba and vibes.

A Day in the Life of a Fool (Manha de Carnaval) arr. Terry White
“A Day in the Life of a Fool (Manha de Carnaval)” arranged by Terry White is a bossa nova groove – but not just any bossa – this one stands above the rest. Superb harmonies, nice voicings, a nice sax soli, written solos for alto and trumpet, a big shout chorus, and all very tasty throughout. This chart also includes a variety of optional parts plus flute, clarinet, and vibes.

Fool Me Once by Gordon Goodwin
Fool Me Once from the Jazz Band Series is designed for high school and advanced junior high school band. Full instrumentation includes 5 saxophones, 8 brass and 4 rhythm parts. Optional parts include flute, B-flat clarinet, tuba, horn in F, vibraphone, and baritone T.C./tenor sax. All solos are written out with chord changes, the rhythm section parts suggest chord voicings and rhythms and guitar chord frames are provided to assist young guitarists.

Sack of Woe arr. Mark Taylor
A different twist on a great jazz classic from this seminal jazz saxophonist. Arranged here in an attractive shuffle funk style, there’s a nice balance between a small group flavor and riffs scored for the entire band. Solos are provided for alto sax and trumpet.

Slow Hot Wind (Lujon) by Henry Mancini/arr. Paul Murtha
Originally an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini, this engaging tune has been used in various film scores, and later recorded by recording artists such as Sarah Vaughan and Sergio Mendes. Here’s a steamy bossa nova for young players that serves as a feature for alto sax.

Be My Buddy by Terry White
This laid back blues in Bb is the perfect tune for young bands to swing. Reminiscent of the Basie band, this a great vehicle for introducing the distinctive “Freddie Green” chomping style. Solo section includes written or ad lib solos for Alto Sax and Trumpet.

Late in the Quarter by Mike Dana
This beautiful folkish chart in an even eighth note ECM style features diatonic melodies over lush chord voicings. The tenor and piano solos can be played as written or ad lib.

Monkey See, Monkey Do by Rick Stitzel
Based on the blues in F and featuring a catchy riff traded around the band, here is the perfect swing chart for beginning jazzers! Rick carefully uses tutti rhythms for ease in learning, and the sample solo can be played by any sax, or by the entire section. Great intro to Basie-style swing!

You can find more suggestions for Young Jazz Ensemble on our website, or contact us for personalized recommendations. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Ben H. is the Jazz Education Consultant at Stanton’s Sheet Music. He received bachelors and masters degrees in music from Capital University and The Ohio State University respectively. As a professional trumpeter, Ben is accomplished in a wide variety of genres and has performed throughout the Midwest on many stages over the past 30 years. He also teaches trumpet, coaches brass ensembles and serves on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.


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