Jazz Charts with Expanded Instrumentation

As one of the most important American music forms, the blues is an essential concept for developing students who are learning about jazz improvisation and ensemble playing. This easy-level swinger has it

Here's a great vehicle for teaching your younger jazz ensemble how to swing. Originally a blues tune from 1919, this familiar song has become an often recorded jazz standard. John Berry's updated version

Don't miss this swinging, shuffle blues chart for developing groups that cooks right off the top! Set at about 132 bpm, it features a full and hot saxophone section soli, a stop-time section leading

Beantown Blues Parade is an upbeat New Orleans second line groove for developing jazz bands. It is very accessible with features, including written solos for trumpet 1 (or trumpet

Blame It on the Blues is the perfect vehicle for developing jazzers to learn the essentials of swing rhythms and phrasing. Doug Beach knows how to do this kind of chart very, very well and this one

Blooz is an easy, shuffle B-flat blues with optional parts for flute, clarinet, horn and tuba. With a stop-time solo section and an ensemble shout chorus, this tune will be a band favorite.

Whether your jazz band has some experience or is in the developmental stages, this medium-tempo swingin' blues chart is suitable for all performance situations. All sections have

Young jazzers deserve their chance to be in the spotlight, and here's a perfect vehicle for aspiring young stars. This bluesy swing chart features the saxes on the melody with commentary from the brass

Everyone needs an infusion of the blues now and then, and this chart delivers! With a swinging melody, ensemble work at all dynamic levels, and spots for your soloists, this chart offers an abundance of

Charlie Hill's original swinger at around 126 bpm is a straight-ahead blues chart with a catchy melody in the saxes that stays with you. There are no solos, just swinging sectionals and ensemble

Finally, a test that students will look forward to taking! This straight-ahead swinger is ideal for teaching swing rhythm interpretation and improvising on a blues scale. Equally suited to any program,

This medium swing original for developing groups is a riff-based blues in the tradition of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands. Blues You Can Use begins with the rhythm section setting the

This minor blues chart swings right out of the opening count off. There is well-written counterpoint and a roaring shout chorus which is ideal for showcasing the entire ensemble. This is a very playable

Recorded on the 1956 album Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet, this jazz standard composed by pianist Red Garland adapts beautifully for young jazzers. With a moderate tempo, a riff-based melody, and

This swinging chart is a blues in the key of F that works well for any combo through its flexible instrumentation. Featuring written-out solos and a stop-time ensemble section in the winds, it's written for

This laid-back, easy-going swing chart at the very easy level is a perfect introduction to the blues for aspiring jazz musicians! Bluesy melodies and swinging rhythms will teach basic style in a way that is

Here's a great way to introduce the music of Count Basie to your young players. Carefully scored for young groups, this medium swing chart composed by Frank Foster and Count Basie trades the melody between

Wow, this is great! Mike Story has created an ideal easy swing/shuffle chart on a great blues melody by Sweets Edison. Centerpiece is accessible with easy brass ranges, a medium swing tempo of