News & Views Friday, March 29, 2024

No Foolin’! Chicken Tunes for Jazz Ensemble Monday, April 01, 2019

alfred-47027-frecommended by Ben Huntoon, Jazz Specialist

Just Wing It by Kris Berg, Grade 2.5
Oh yeah, it’s time for another “chicken” flavored chart! This one is definitely funky and more accessible than previous “chicken” charts. Lead trumpet range is only to written G on top of the staff, and written-out solos are provided for alto and trumpet. Also, with only two chords in the solo section, it is ideal for young players to work on improvising. Tempo is around 136 BPM.

Flew the Coop by Kris Berg, Grade 3
Kris Berg does it one more time – the chicken-theme chart lives on! A rock groove with the melody handled by trombone, tenor and guitar, with written-out solos available for each. Check out the very hip interludes with bass doubling the melody line and bass ‘bone and bass playing a unison call-and-response line with the ensemble. You will tap your toes to this chart – guaranteed.

alfred-jem03031-fFowl Play by Kris Berg, Grade 3.5
Do you want a funky Tower of Power style chart? Well then, this is it. The whole band will have their eyes glued to this chart as the horn players hunt and peck through this one. The rhythmic figures are searing with energy, the rhythm section will cook on high heat throughout and the tenor sax soloist will need oven mitts for protection. Lead trumpet to written C (optional D).

R U Chicken by Kris Berg, Grade 3
You asked for a funky chart – well, this is it! Another fabulous adventure by the chicken-master Kris Berg, and this time he plucks another prize-winner with “R U Chicken?” Written solos are included for trumpet and tenor sax, and the lead trumpet range is up to written B-flat. A great closer for any concert or festival performance. What a title. What a chart!

alfred-33358-fRule the Roost by Kris Berg, Grade 3
The chicken saga continues! Kris Berg brings you this funky Tower of Power groove. Solos are written out for tenor and trombone, lead trumpet range is to written A, and the bass part is critical and somewhat challenging – that’s the story. It’s a clucking good time.

Cheep Shot by Kris Berg, Grade 3
We’re back with another chicken-titled funk chart! Written solos are provided for trumpet and tenor but you could add guitar if desired. Lead trumpet range is too written B-flat above the staff with optional high C. The chart is played around 160 BPM and has a great bass part and a sweet drum backbeat too.

Chicks Dig It by Kris Berg, Grade 3.5
With the chicken-flavored title, this Kris Berg chart is just plain funky. The laid-back tempo is around 100 BPM, there is a suggested written tenor solo, and some slap bass licks on the hip bass part. The lead trumpet range for “Chicks Dig It” is to written B above the staff. Optional flute and vibes too!

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 has served on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

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