Feature your star trombone player with this samba arrangment of Sweet Lorraine. It has a groove that makes people want to dance and an ensemble section that steals the show. Add some sugar to your program with Sweet Lorraine.
It's time to bring the funk with Party Fowl. This approachable funk tune is filled with energy and is loads of fun to play. Solos are open to whichever player wants to take a ride.
Movement is a cool-jazz piece with an enchanting melody and lovely harmonies. The modern chord changes are unique and forgiving for soloists to explore. The piece moves from a subtle beginning to a grand shout chorus.
Just as Alexander the Great became king of Phrygia by cutting the Gordian Knot, your players will become the jazz royalty (in the making) by cutting through this Dorian based solo section. Cutting the Dorian Knot has a medium jazz-rock groove filled with interest in the ensemble sections and has an approachable solo section. Conquer this piece on your way to becoming a legend.
Here is a tasty modern reharmonization of the classic standard Bye Bye Blackbird. It features trumpet and tenor saxophone over a broken swing feel with modern yet approachable chord changes. This arrangement is loaded with interesting ensemble sections that will keep your students engaged and challenged.
Armitage Shanks by Dan Kramilch is a high energy jazz fusion piece that is sure to grab your audience's attention. It begins and ends with a BANG and features dueling solos in the middle. Inject some energy into your program with Armitage Shanks.
Wishing Well expertly weaves layers of melodies and polyrhythms that gives such a full sound that you'll forget that is was written for a small ensemble. This piece was written for 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, and 2 trombones for bands that have a smaller ensemble but still want something fresh. Full big bands can double parts and play this without hesitation.
Archways is a tasty reggae piece with soothing harmonies and a melody that you'll be humming throughout the day. The solos have approachable chord changes for improvisation but also include written solos.
This hip-hop arrangement of O Holy Night is exquisitely reharmonized. It is a fresh and modern take on a classic carol. A written solo and chord changes are provided for whatever level your soloist is at.
Feature your star trumpet player with this beautiful holiday ballad. This technically easy, yet beautifully orchestrated pieces is suitable for bands at any level.
If you could put the first sip of warm coffee while watching the sun rise and reflecting on the good things in life into a piece of music, Blessed is it. This gospel-based piece is so pleasant it's basically therapeutic. Feature your tenor sax player with this approachable gospel piece.
Add variety and contrast to your holiday program with this modern take on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. It takes the listener on a reflective journey that culminates with a swinging shout chorus before returning to its reflective recapitulation.
Equal parts "class" and "sass" are required to drive this blues-shuffle. Great for beginning improvisors, but still fun for the experienced soloist to take a ride.
The "Switched On Pop" podcast investigated if a certain melodic motif was part of an alt-rock conspiracy for indie groups to get more radio play. Alt + ~ uses that same motif in an alt-rock power ballad to see if it translates to more copies sold to band directors. Buy yours now to find out.
Above It All is a driving rock with lots of twists and turns. There are written solos and chord changes for tenor saxophone, trumpet, and guitar. The lead trumpet part includes optional higher notes for an advanced player.
This modern rock piece packs a punch even if you don't have a full band. Carry Forward features percussive rhythmic hits with a singable melody on top. It can be played with as few as 4 brass and 3 saxophones. Improvised solos use a single scale with no sour notes.
What do you get when you combine grunge rock inspiration and minor blues harmonies? Have Some More lets your students rock out while learning to play the blues. With a thrilling sax soli and a ripping shout chorus, your audience will be asking for more.
Idles Shadows is an up-beat yet mysterious bossa nova that will get your band and your audience dancing. With the vampy changes and easy ranges, this is a great piece to focus on tightening up rhythms. Trumpet and alto saxophone solos are written, but chord changes are also provided.
You will never guess how #1 No Pickles ends, but your audience is sure to love it. This blues-based funk is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The trombone soloist should have fun with their best Fred Wesley impression.
Inspired by two Seattle bands (Nirvana and Kings Kaleidoscope), Fremont Trolling will give your program something fresh and new. Its beautiful melodies and countermelodies are balanced by how hard it rocks! Solos are in guitar and drums and is a good excuse for your guitarist to get out their pedal board.
The swirling melodies and driving groove of Working Things Out is a musical representation of being presented a challenge and continuing to press on to find a solution. Improvised solos are encouraged, but written solos are provided for students who are still "working things out."
Accounting Error uses a standard form, but with a twist. This funky piece is a great way to introduce your young band to the blues form. Play the written solos, or open it up for creative exploration.
Everyone has been effected in one way or another by the COVID-19 crisis. This is my gift to band directors to help lift their spirits with a FREE uplifting tune. Enjoy!
Written as a birthday gift for the composer's mom, now you can celebrate the moms in your life and especially the ones who support your program. The sweet melodies and tasteful harmonies will be a touching gift to those special ladies.
It’s creamy. It’s crispy. It’s delicious! Your developing band will love this modern groove. With written solos and optional parts for flute, clarinet, and horn, this is the perfect piece for your young band.
Buckle your seatbelts! Jingle Freakin' Bells is a high-octane, punk-rock rendition of a Christmas classic. Your guitar player can bring out all his pedals and your tenor sax soloist can go crazy. "Jingle Bells" is the featured melody, but see if you can find all the other hidden gems in Jingle Freakin' Bells.
This funky modern blues will have your audience bobbing their heads. The relentless groove of the bass along with some spicy harmonies make this chart a great addition to your program.
IN CASE OF DANCE EMERGENCY...Break Glass! The groove on this chart is sure to bring your audience to their feet to start dancing. The audience and band members alike will be singing this melody long after the performance.
Chakanaka Chakanaka is inspired by mbira music of the Shona people in Zimbabwe. The music has a way of blurring the lines between a 6/8 feel and a 3/4 feel and mixing melodies together to create a tapestry of sound. The title comes from a Shona proverb that translates to "what's good is good." If you have multiple percussionists or a second guitar player in your band, this is a chart that allows them to all get involved.
This modern Latin chart gives you the opportunity to feature your star player. The piece was inspired by the composer's move to the inland Northwest as well as the music of Gerry Mulligan. Although the featured part was initially intended for bari sax, the featured part is transposed for the different instruments in your band and includes a written solo as well as chord changes.
Bright Days is a modern jazz-rock loosly based on a blues form and rooted in the concept of the blues. The composer was venting his frustration of his situation while looking forward to brighter days ahead. There are written solos and chord changes included for tenor sax, trombone, vibes, and guitar.
Take a journey from adversity to joy with Trading My Tears. This gospel-inspired piece is the musical embodiment of experiencing jubilation from persevering through hardship. Feature your lead alto player with this uplifting chart.
Inspired by the composer's 3-year-old son, Doron Dance is full of energy and excitement. The math-rock feel at the beginning supports a seemingly simple, childlike melody before disolving into a heavy half-time rock feel. The trombone section is featured with a plunger-heavy soli. The improvised solo section uses minimal chord changes so that early imporvisors are not overwhelmed and advanced improvisors have lots of room to develope their ideas. Your band will love working on this high-impact piece.
This slow-rock is bluesy and fun to play. Part of the "America the Bluesiful" collection, "Back Road" is a perfect chart to get a young band in a groove. Written solos are provided, but a blues scale is all that is needed to get started improvising.
Like a steampunk gearbox, this chart is the perfect combination of mechanical precision and beauty. The individual cycling melodies mesh neatly with one another to provide a mesmerizing soundscape underneath flowing melodies. There are written solos as well as chord changes for tenor saxophone and trombone.
Always Simpatico will take your audience through a satisfying and rocking musical journey. The humble melody introduced at the beginning travels from section to section, building in intensity each time before reaching its climax, then resolves in a way reminiscent to how it started. The improvised solo is in the tenor saxophone part. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
This high-energy rock shuffle is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next concert. "Blood, Sweat, and Cheers" is part of the new "America the Bluesiful" collection. The title is a summation of the American dream where through endurance and hard work everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Each section is highlighted and there is a bluesy written trombone solo in the middle. This piece is approachable by a young band, but satisfying for any ensemble.
Get all your drummers involved with this modern latin piece! Applied Physics juxtaposes punchy background hits with singing melodies that your band will be humming outside of the class. There are solo sheets that have written solos as well as a guide for improvising. The solo section is flexible and can feature one soloist or split between many. The percussion rounds out the solo section with a soli of their own. Have fun making this chart your own!
Paul Simon's Cecilia is a classic from the library of Simon and Garfunkel. Showcase your saxophone section and feature your best soloists with this hot samba arrangment.
Add some funk to your holiday program with this soulful arrangement of the Christmas spiritual “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” This chart is loaded with Gospel inspired elements and features your bari sax player. Your students will thank you for getting to play this chart for Christmas.
Your young jazz band will stand out with this calypso piece. Cake Mix uses a great balance of dissonance and consonance with an infectious groove to create a surprisingly mature sound for early jazzers. Trumpets don't go above a D in the staff and soloists can use F major pentatonic in the open solo section.
Originally from the album Vu-Tet by Cuong Vu, Solitary Confinement has been beautifully orchestrated by Greg Sinibaldi for full big band. The arrangement stays true to the original with it's textural beginning, winding melodies, and thoughful countermelodies. Your band will stand out by playing this unique chart from one of todays great jazz artists.
What starts out as a simple, yet soulful melody relentlessly builds to the very end of the piece. Precipiatation Appreciation is the finale of the Beauty of the Rain suite and features a power trio of alto sax, trombone, and trumpet. Everyone will be humming this tune long after they leave your performance.
Grab the attention of your audience at every turn of this up-tempo modern swing chart. Anvil Crawler is the third part of the Beauty of the Rain suite and features piano, trumpet, and an open drum solo at the end. From the dynamic contrast to the rocking rhythms to the serpentine melodies, this piece is exciting from beginning to end.
WARNING: This piece is epic and might inspire practicing and increased playing ability! Attempt playing at your own risk! This is an piece that mirrors the parable of the good Samaritan. Each section represents a different character of the story and borrows from classical Indian music, modern jazz-rock fusion, and swing. This is truly a show-stopper and will leave audiences amazed.
Part of the Beauty of the Rain suite, this minimalist ballad engages the whole band in order to create the “drizzle” effect. Each player is given a phrase that they repeat at their leisure giving even jazz novices a chance at basic improvisation. The solo is written in the guitar, however solo sheets are available so you can feature anyone in the band that can play through the progressive chord changes.
Feature your trombone soloist with this modern rock piece by the band They Might Be Giants. The 6/8 rock groove and bi-polar dynamics provide a nice change of pace for your set. The band is also featured with a fugue that gradually builds into the shout chorus. Your audiences will love it and your band will love to play it!
Fun to play, fun to listen to, and fun to solo over, Liquid Sunshine (part of the Beauty of the Rain suite) is a modern jazz waltz with melodies that float over a rhythmically driving drum-set part. The waltz eventually leads into a half-time rock feel with an infectious melody given to the bass voices. Solo opportunities are there for tenor sax, bass, and trumpet.
Here is a ballad that your band will love to play. Originally performed by Radiohead for the end credits of “Romeo + Juliet,” this piece has been arranged as a duet to feature trumpet and alto sax. It captures the essence of the original with its subtle yet lyrical beginning and slow build to an intense climax. A great choice for the ballad portion of your concert or contest set.
Don’t be fooled by its calm beginning, this chart ROCKS! By borrowing techniques from dubstep, Ain’t No Time will give your band a unique and exciting sound that they will love to play. The trombones with plungers provide the characteristic “wub” and the band will collectively “drop the bass” to the audience’s delight. The solo is written in the bari sax part, but can easily be transferred to whichever soloist that can rock the hardest.
