News & Views Monday, March 18, 2024

NEW for Jazz Ensemble – Grade 3.5-4 Monday, March 06, 2017

recommended by Ben Huntoon, Jazz Specialist

Gibraltar arr. Mike Kamuf
Freddie Hubbard’s “Gibraltar” is a jazz standard recorded by all the greats. A very hip samba played at around 180 BPM, written-out solos provided for trumpet 2 and tenor sax 2, plenty of action for the drummer, and lead trumpet range to written A. There are a few snippets of Freddie Hubbard licks throughout. A smokin’ chart in every way!

Modern Pecknology by Kris Berg
“Modern Pecknology” – it’s the chicken-themed funk chart! A clever title, and it’s certainly a clever chart. This Kris Berg composition opens with the sound of the barnyard and then it gets funky immediately with a very cool bass part. The tempo is around 110 BPM with the lead trumpet range to written B above the staff. A suggested written tenor solo is provided along with chord changes for trombone 1. A great groove that settles in and stays funky.

El Abrazo by Alan Baylock
Here is a truly stunning, unforgettable chart! The ballad beginning and ending will bring tears to your eyes – it’s that beautiful. The chart then moves to a samba around 110 BPM for the half note. Lead trumpet range is to written high C and there is a tenor solo with chord changes. You won’t forget this chart! As recorded on Alan Baylocks’ CD Prime Time.

Love Beams by Mark Taylor
Originally composed by Mark Taylor four decades earlier, “Love Beams” proves its staying power with a new recording on Mark’s big band CD To the Edge. With its easy going bossa style and gently flowing melodies, we’re sure it will be around at least for another four decades!

Overjoyed arr. Mark Taylor
This wonderful classic ballad recorded by Stevie Wonder is set here as a feature for tenor sax. Beautifully accompanied by piano only in the beginning, a mellow accompaniment follows (with flugels and bones in buckets) as a medium bossa tempo settles in.

Popo arr. Mike Tomaro
Shorty Rogers was one of the primary creators of West Coast jazz, both as a composer and performer. “Popo” is a great example of a cool blues in a medium tempo, with solo space for any player.

Samba de Orphee arr. Kris Berg
A classic samba played around 208 BPM. “Samba de Orphee” arranged by Kris Berg is bright, happy, upbeat, and festive throughout with the initial melody stated by alto 1 and trumpet 2 with solo chord changes for each. The groove switches to swing midway, then back to the samba feel. A great tune, and superb arrangement from top to bottom.

A Hefti Dose of Basie by Patrick Williams
As performed by Patrick William’s big band on his brilliant CD Home Suite Home – this chart is a marvel of taste and restraint. The tempo is slow at around 74 BPM. This outstanding ballad has a trumpet 2 solo with chord changes. Brass range is not an issue, the challenge is the slow tempo. Soon to be a classic chart in everyone’s library.

Find more pieces like these in the Jazz Ensemble category on Stanton’s Listening Library, or visit our main site. Contact us for more information, and remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Ben Huntoon 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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