Holiday Concert for Jazz Ensemble Tuesday, November 16, 2021
6 songs to Jazz up the Holidays
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recommended by Eric Stratton, Jazz Specialist
A Chili Pepper Christmas arr. Doug Beach & George Shutack, Grade 3.5
Though it took some time and real effort to convince the famous Chili Pepper to tackle the concept of holiday music, it’s finally a reality! Featuring three great classics – “I Saw Three Ships,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” and “Jingle Bells” – this samba style medley at the medium level is a joyous celebration of the holidays. While improvisation is certainly encouraged, sheets with written solo lines for both open sections are included with each set.
Hallelujah Shout Chorus by Tim Waters, Grade 3
This chart offers more fun than you thought you could have at a holiday concert. Using themes from Handel’s “Messiah” weaved throughout exciting big band shout chorus writing, this chart is truly an inventive take on a holiday classic! The solo section features space for any instrument to solo over Eb blues changes.
Silent Night arr. Tim Waters, Grade 2
This easy jazz rock ballad takes a nice eloquent twist on the holiday standard with just the right amount of subtle funkiness to keep things exciting. There is a short written Trumpet solo on the melody.
O Christmas Tree arr. Haley Woodrow, Grade 2
This re-imagining of a classic holiday staple “O Christmas Tree” will be a sure-fire favorite on your holiday concert! Influenced by the sounds of Latin America, this arrangement includes a fun montuno and a swing shout section. While scored for traditional big band instrumentation, it’s also playable with just rhythm section and a single trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone and tenor saxophone, or anything in between. Limited ranges make this accessible to a wide range of bands. Be sure to check out this great Haley Woodrow chart!
O Little Town of Bethlehem arr. Jim Mahaffey, Grade 2.5
Starting out with an eloquent brass chorale, this tender arrangement of the holiday standard features some nice legato moments. There are short written solos on the melody for the Trumpet and Alto Sax along with some nice dynamic writing. A great tune for your next holiday concert for sure!
What Child Is This? arr. Paul Clark, Grade 2
Does “What Child Is This?” work as a rock chart? Absolutely, in the hands of Paul Clark! The attention-grabbing introduction is followed by solo alto on the melody, then joined by the tenor. The driving rock builds all the way to the end. Every section gets a chance to be featured in this rockin’ fun chart. Imagine the little drummer boy on cowbell. A guaranteed hit with both your band and audience!
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About the Author:
Eric Stratton is the Jazz Specialist at Stanton’s Sheet Music. From Westerville, OH, Eric received a Bachelor of Music in Classical Bass Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from Otterbein University. On both electric and double bass, he plays in various groups around Columbus, including New Albany Symphony and Westerville Symphony orchestras. He enjoys listening to and playing many types of music, from jazz, pop, to rock and metal. Some of Eric’s favorite performance opportunities are in the pit orchestras of musical theatre productions. When Eric isn’t gigging or at Stanton’s, he enjoys playing video games, hanging out with his cats, performing repair and tech work on guitars, and going to local restaurants and breweries with friends.