Jazz Ensemble Ballads

Here is a deeply emotional, gorgeous ballad from the self-titled album Lyle Mays. It begins with a written piano solo and moves into a lush ensemble setting. There is a short, improvised Tenor solo

As recorded by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band on the CD That's How We Roll, but minus the woodwind doubles, saxes only. Arranged for flexibility, it's a beautiful solo feature for C instruments, alto sax,

Bayou Farewell is an original, melancholy, Pat Metheny style ballad with straight eighth notes and a beautiful melody. Graham Breedlove's use of color is superb in this solo feature for soprano

Arranged especially for the USAF Airmen of Note, this alto sax ballad feature is outstanding in every respect. The introduction features the trombones, followed by the alto solo with piano, development,

This arrangement of I Hope In Time a Change Will Come came about through a desire to hear and play more than one chorus of this stunningly beautiful blues tinged melody by Oliver Nelson. The basis

This beautiful bossa/ballad features flugelhorn and was recorded on the Fun Time CD. The rhythm is in a bossa nova style with some beautiful ensemble orchestration and interesting chord changes. Highly

The timeless and beautiful Cootie Williams and Thelonious Monk classic is set here as a flugelhorn feature. The band and soloist get to stretch out some in a double-time interlude before returning to the

As performed by Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show band, this wonderful arrangement by the late, great Tommy Newsom features trumpet throughout. There is marvelous ensemble writing set in a swingy ballad

Here's an outstanding Kenton-style ballad that showcases the lead trombone and the trombone section. The chart builds during a 12/8 section which makes it an even stronger choice as an excellent ballad

From the acclaimed CD Basie & Beyond comes this emotional ballad for tenor or soprano sax that will touch the hearts of performers and audiences alike. Lush chords and a tender piano introduction set

The famous version as performed by the Stan Kenton Band!