For College Jazz Ensemble Friday, May 31, 2019
recommended by Ben Huntoon, Jazz Specialist
Chelsea Bridge arr. Walter Van De Leur, Grade 5
This is an edited transcription of the authentic composition and arrangement by Billy Strayhorn himself. Recorded by Duke Ellington, the suggested tempo is a medium swing around 96 BPM. Features include a tenor 2 melody bridge solo, a sax section soli and a trombone 3 melody solo. Tenor 1 has a clarinet double and the lead trumpet range is to written high C above the staff.
Amoroso by Benny Carter, Grade 4
As recorded by Count Basie on the Roulette LP (Vogue CD) The Legend, this is an up-tempo Latin and swing chart. Solo space is provided for tenor sax, trumpet, and drums. There is an open solo for your drummer and Latin instrument players (if you have them). The tune moves beautifully from Latin to swing and back again. Classic Basie!
Braggin’ in Brass by Duke Ellington, Grade 6
This 1938 masterpiece contains a difficult trumpet soli and a nearly impossible trombone soli. Along with two trumpet solos and a trombone solo at breakneck speed, Ellington was surely “Braggin’ In Brass” when he recorded it. To be sure, there is no more spectacular three minutes in Ellington’s entire repertoire and certainly no piece that is more about sheer fun.
Be Bop Charlie by Bob Florence, Grade 5+
Swinger featuring some of the finest ensemble writing for big band. Alto 1 doubles on soprano sax. Fast swing that explodes right out of the gate. Killer sax soli and big band punches highlight this exciting chart.
Cherry Juice by Thad Jones, Grade 6
As recorded by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra on the album New Life, this fast swing ‘opus’ starts with a full-band statement and a short piano solo before the flugelhorn soloist steps into the spotlight. Then tenor carries a solo chorus, followed by a powerful ensemble shout, an incredible sax soli, a 16-bar piano solo, a short band recap of the main theme, and closing coda.
Howdiz Songo? by Gordon Goodwin, Grade 5.5
A phenomenal Latin songo groove! The chart has auxiliary percussion, soprano lead with optional alto 1 part, and a hip piano montuno. Lead trumpet range is to written double A. Solo space for all saxes, trumpet, and trombone. As recorded by Gordon Goodwin.
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.