The Right Fit for Your Jazz Band

Inspired by the composer Carla Bley, "Carla's Bleyhouse" is a modern rock tune that features both silky-smooth counterpoint and in-your-face brass hits. See if you can find the Carla Bley Easter eggs inside.

"Persephone" is a bossa-nova inspired by Greek mythology. It starts with a twisted chorale and lead the listener on a journey to bring Persephone out of the underworld.

"American Standard" by Dan Kramlich is a smooth funk that is tasty, musical, and approachable. The solo section has written solos and is also only one chord for those venturing into improvisation.

"Four! Fore?" is a modern broken swing that takes the listener on a journey. The ensemble section at the beginning drives the piece forward suspensefully, not knowing if the shot was a hook or a slice. The rhythm section comes in with a groove right down the fairway and it feels good. The piece continues featuring a tenor sax solo and a swinging shout section, which is par for the course.

Sometimes you just need to rock. Permission: granted.

How do you get your band to internalize a shuffle groove? Answer: Ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga. "Rutabaga" is a modern shuffle that hooks the listener from the beginning with its infections groove and takes them on a journey through a tenor sax solo to the shout chorus before winding down to a recap of its groovy beginnings.

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.

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.

Should old ska-quaintance be forgot? This ska version of Auld Lang Syne is a high-energy way to close your holiday program. Happy ska-lidays!

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.

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.

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.

"American Standard" by Dan Kramlich is a smooth funk that is tasty, musical, and approachable. The solo section has written solos and is also only one chord for those venturing into improvisation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"Persephone" is a bossa-nova inspired by Greek mythology. It starts with a twisted chorale and lead the listener on a journey to bring Persephone out of the underworld.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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!

Inspired by the composer Carla Bley, "Carla's Bleyhouse" is a modern rock tune that features both silky-smooth counterpoint and in-your-face brass hits. See if you can find the Carla Bley Easter eggs inside.

"Four! Fore?" is a modern broken swing that takes the listener on a journey. The ensemble section at the beginning drives the piece forward suspensefully, not knowing if the shot was a hook or a slice. The rhythm section comes in with a groove right down the fairway and it feels good. The piece continues featuring a tenor sax solo and a swinging shout section, which is par for the course.

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.

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.

"Which came first?" is of little significance so long as the groove keeps going. Your band and your audience with have fun with this funky piece.

Should old ska-quaintance be forgot? This ska version of Auld Lang Syne is a high-energy way to close your holiday program. Happy ska-lidays!

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.

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.

How do you get your band to internalize a shuffle groove? Answer: Ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga, ru-ta-ba-ga. "Rutabaga" is a modern shuffle that hooks the listener from the beginning with its infections groove and takes them on a journey through a tenor sax solo to the shout chorus before winding down to a recap of its groovy beginnings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.