SWING TUNES for Jazz Ensemble Thursday, February 17, 2022
Does your jazz ensemble have rhythm?
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recommended by Eric Stratton, Jazz Specialist
After Dark by Bryce Newton, Grade 1
“After Dark” is an exceptional chart to introduce swing style from the very first rehearsal! This “Jazz Starter” is expertly written well within the easy level, allowing your students to sound good quickly and find success in learning to swing. Lots of great teaching material is packed into this piece. Students will enjoy the mysterious mood of this chart and will be engaged from the very start! A winner!
By George by Paul Baker, Grade 2
Based on the famous chord changes of Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” this fun swinger introduces these indispensable patterns to younger players. A strong dialogue between brass and saxes sets the tone early before the saxes take the melody. The trumpet section takes over for the bridge before handing things back to the saxes to finish the chorus. The written Alto Sax solo is based on Charlie Parker’s solo on “Moose the Mooch.” The written Trumpet solo is based on solos from Ella Fitzgerald and Bud Powell. The shout section opens with the horns “trading fours” with the bassist (written bass solo provided). The Ensemble prevails until returning to a recap of the intro leading into the final chord. Trumpet range is to written G. Trombone range is to F.
High Flyer by Carl Strommen, Very Easy
This bright swing for beginning groups is based on the chord changes to “Lullaby Of Birdland” by George Shearing. The open solo section (written or ad lib) features any soloist, with solo sheets provided in all keys along with scales to assist students in improvisation.
Hold the Mayo by Howard J. Rowe Jr., Easy
The exciting and fun introduction moves to a big band swing and has a roaring finish that will have your developing group sounding like pros! The open solo section (written or ad lib) can be played by any soloist, with solo sheets provided in all keys along with scales to assist students in improvisation.
How the Mind Wanders by Lars Halle, Medium
Balance your concert program with this buoyant, medium-tempo swinger for advancing groups that evokes classics like “L’il Darlin’” and “Cute.” Although solo space is provided for alto saxophone and trumpet (written or ad lib), it’s the band that truly shines on this toe-tapping number.
It’s Go Time by Rich Woolworth, Grade 3
This straight-ahead, happy swing chart is a perfect opener for any band’s concert or contest performance. The trumpets get the first statement of the melody, followed by lots of fun ensemble work and written or ad-lib solos for Trombone, Alto, Bari and Trumpet.
Mack the Knife arr. Rick Stitzel, Grade 1.5
Recorded by both Louis Armstrong and Bobby Darin in the 1950s, this iconic standard has remained popular through the years and has been recorded by countless jazz artists. This arrangement for beginning jazz bands features a moderate swing tempo, easy rhythms, and solo (or soli) sections for saxes, then trumpets.
My Man Sam (For Sammy Nestico) by Gordon Goodwin, Grade 3.5
“My Man Sam” by Gordon Goodwin is a tribute to the late, great, brilliant arranger/composer, Sammy Nestico! The medium swing tempo is 134 BPM and the suggested written solos are for trumpet 2, alto 1, tenor 1, and trombone 1. Superb writing provides sweet sax solis, great dynamic contrasts, lead trumpet range to written B above the staff, and a wonderful shout chorus. Optional parts include flute, vibes, and more. Sammy would love this chart!
That’s the Idea by Gregory Yasinitsky, Medium
This exciting, up tempo swing chart for advancing groups, which features solos for 1st Alto Saxophone, 2nd Trumpet and Piano (written or ad lib), a saxophone soli and an ensemble chorus which moves from a whisper to a roar. Standard instrumentation with optional flute, 5th trumpet and vibes part, a guitar chord chart by Jim Greeson is included in each set.
Uptown Throwdown by Zachary Smith, Grade 1
This is a very cool shuffle-swing groove played around 140 BPM. Written solos are provided for trombone 1 and alto 1, a stop-time interlude, a big shout chorus, and an optional vocal shout-out too! Optional parts for flute, clarinet, and vibes and more. A powerful chart everyone will enjoy!
We’ll Be Right Back by Paul Baker, Grade 3
Johnny Carson looks into the camera and says, “Well Be Right Back” and the band launches into a hard swinging chart with a big brass punches answered by a hard charging sax section. The bridge is dominated by a bebop trumpet section soli before handing back off to the saxes to finish the chorus. Solo opportunities are provided for Alto Sax and Trumpet, or piano or guitar may be added or substituted. The solo changes are “Rhythm Changes” except they’re in concert Eb this time. Trumpets get to have some fun with plungers on the background figures. The Shout Section ensues featuring a trombone section soli on the bridge. A brief coda leads to the signature ending. Trumpet range is to written High C. Trombone range is to G.
Wild Card by Doug Beach & George Shutack, Grade 1
Here is the perfect combination of an infectious melody, great scoring and many of the swing figures that are essential for groups at the very easy level to learn. The approachable blues changes in F concert make this a great chart to encourage young players to improvise. Scored for four horns with rhythm section and expandable to full big band. Written or ad lib solos for all are included, along with optional parts for flute, clarinet and horn in F.
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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.