Charles Mingus' distinctive take on the classic Ellingtonian ballad style provides a beautiful showcase for a variety of soloists as well as lush full ensemble scoring. Also included is an optional solo for flute or piano. Suggested solos and optional parts for flute, clarinet and French horn are included. Part of the acclaimed Simply Mingus series.

Feature a flugel or trumpet soloist on this lush and melodic original. Written in a relaxed Latin/ballad groove, this offers a nice opportunity for change of pace programming for festivals or concerts. There is a full ensemble, double time interlude in the middle before the chart returns to the original style and soloist. Unique!

Every aspiring jazz player is familiar with this haunting ballad that achieved notoriety as the theme song for television's "Mike Hammer" series. While not a feature ballad, the saxophone section takes the spotlight here while the brass adds background figures to spice things up. Also included is a written solo or soli for saxes. Play it with full band or with as few as 4 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and rhythm section. Add more color by including the optional parts for flute, 2 clarinets, horn in F and tuba. This is an extremely nice ballad for younger groups!

Here's Duke Ellington's soulful ballad cast for small band and featuring a tenor sax soloist. The instrumentation is 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone and rhythm section with optional additional parts for alto sax, tenor sax and trombone. It features wonderful reharmonizations and skilled scoring!

Mike Tomaro's tasteful rendering of this classic ballad is an ensemble feature with subtle reharmonizations and a lush orchestration. It includes suggested or improvised solo space for trumpet and piano and will be an excellent vehicle to show off your band's sensitive side with accurate phrasing and interpretation. Excellent ballad!

This chart for young jazz ensembles perfectly captures the laid-back Li'l Darlin' feel of the Basie band. It's filled with ensemble figures essential to the style and features a written, sultry tenor sax solo. A terrific little swing ballad that's perfect for teaching an important style!

Reminiscent of the classic jazz ballads of the '40s and '50s, this chart is beautifully scored to produce a rich, warm texture. This ensemble ballad is accessible, has short written or improvised solos, and begins with a trumpet and alto sax duet before the full band layers in. An exceptional change of pace for any concert! Optional reduced or expanded instrumentation.

Featuring an expressive solo throughout for trumpet or flugelhorn, this bossa nova contains a heartfelt melody and rich harmonies while being geared to the capabilities of developing ensembles. The solo is written for the soloist, but changes are provided to encourage aspiring soloists to improvise over the accessible chord changes. This beautiful feature chart can also be played with as few as nine players including rhythm section. Here's a perfect opportunity to encourage and feature your budding trumpet soloist! Highly recommended!

Wow, here's a funk ballad that features your trombone soloist with a completely notated solo along with provided changes. The solo part floats over the band and remains legato against the band's funk grooves. An optional, extended improvisation section for the trombone soloist is included. If you're looking for something different for a solo feature... this is it!

Doug Beach has done it again! Here is a beautiful ballad with flexible opportunities for soloists. Solos are notated in their entirety for alto sax, trumpet and trombone, giving you the chance to arrange it as you see fit. You make the plan and the audience will love it! Outstanding!