Favorite Jazz Tunes for Celebrating Black History Month Tuesday, February 09, 2021
recommended by Ben H., Jazz Specialist
An Ellington Tribute arr. John Berry, Grade 3
This production number for young players offers a perfect way to honor the music of the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra. This swingin’ medley takes you through the well-known standards “C-Jam Blues,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and of course, “Take the A Train.”
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.
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!
Vine Street Rumble by Benny Carter, Grade 5
As originally recorded by Count Basie on the Roulette LP (Vogue CD) “Kansas City Suite – the Music of Benny Carter,” this is a medium-up Shuffle feel, with solos for tenor saxophone and piano. The sax section plays the tune in unison while the brass interject those terrific rhythmic figures that Carter wrote so well. Soft, tight ensemble passage swing like crazy and raise the roof when played yet again up an octave and very powerfully. What a joy this one is! Classic Basie!
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum by Wayne Shorter/arr. Mark Taylor, Grade 2.5
From Wayne Shorter’s influential 1964 album “Speak No Evil,” this jazz standard is transformed here for young bands by Mark Taylor. The relaxed swing feel and harmonies of the original are all retained, and solos for alto sax and trumpet are included.
One by One by Wayne Shorter/arr. Mark Taylor, Grade 4
Composed by Wayne Shorter and recorded by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers in 1963 on Ugetsu, here is “One by One” in a dynamic and muscular big band chart from the pen of Mark Taylor. Featuring a small combo of three saxes, trumpet and trombone interspersed with solid hits from the full ensemble, this medium swinger is a great showcase for contest or festival. Includes solos for alto sax and trumpet.
Fables of Faubus by Charles Mingus/arr. Sy Johnson, Grade 4
This classic Mingus composition is meant to be performed with a sense of an anger or sarcasm, and definitely projects an edginess. The bari sax and bass bone will have fun with the opening and there is plenty for the rest of the ensemble to get excited about as well in this medium swing romp.
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus/arr. Alan Baylock, Grade 3.5
The sonic landscape of this tenor ballad on a classic Mingus tune is free and soulful. The solo tenor provides an introduction, followed by the lush ensemble with a suggested written tenor solo. Lead trumpet range is to written B-flat with optional parts to include flute and vibes. This superb chart belongs in every library.
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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.