Jazz Charts with Expanded Instrumentation

Here's an easy-to-play jazz waltz for the holidays with everything written out including a brief alto sax solo. The tempo is around 150 bpm, plus it has very accessible brass ranges and

Based on the chord changes to Milt Jackson's jazz standard Bags' Groove, this swinging blues original for beginning groups features fun, infectious rhythmic figures and dynamics which grow from a

Featuring your underexposed baritone saxophone player, Groanin' owes a lot to Bobby Timmons' Moanin' in its call-and-response melody. It's got energy with a driving, rocky groove. The band

This laid-back swing chart for young jazz bands is based on the chord changes to Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise, made famous by clarinetist/big band leader Artie Shaw. The solo section is

Made famous by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band, this accessible version has a gospel rock groove that fits perfectly. Played at about 132 bpm with straight eighths, this chart is packed with goodies

The funky groove starts right away and never lets up in this accessible rock chart for young jazz bands. Punchy lines coupled with colorful harmonies set this piece apart. The solos are for anyone with

This original and exciting composition is designed to give young ensembles the authentic sound that is heard in some of today's commercial music. Blending both the Latin and rock genres, with lots of

This tune is written in the style of a cha-cha. It has an open solo section to give all of your students an opportunity for improvisation along with some great ensemble playing. The piece builds into an

Composed by Jose Fernandez Diaz and adapted for young players by John Berry, this familiar Cuban song is featured here as a great-sounding Latin chart. The ranges are easy, the tempo is modest, there

Every young jazz band needs a great rock chart, and this dynamic original from Doug Beach and George Shutack will be a hit with young jazzers. With the flexible scoring, groups of any size can perform this

Skillfully written for the youngest jazz ensembles, this original Latin/rock chart played at about 128-138 bpm is easy to rehearse, teach and learn. It's a very effective and playable vehicle that

Recorded by Fitz and the Tantrums, this catchy tune often shows up in pop culture and on the airwaves in addition to the pop charts. This very easy ensemble-based arrangement will be instantly recognizable

Here's an easy yet great-sounding chart on the hit song from "Despicable Me 2" by Pharrell Williams that just never seems to get old! The melody is skillfully bounced from section to section, and there are

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

This bright swing original by veteran composer/arranger Carl Strommen is perfect for developing jazz groups. Appropriate for concert or festival performances, it features adequate rests for brass

This breakout hit recorded by Camila Cabello helped bring Latin music to the pop charts. This arrangement for young players is easy to learn and includes sample written solos for alto sax, tenor sax,

As recorded by the USAF Airmen of Note and arranged by Alan Baylock in the style of Li'l Darlin', this slow swing chart is an ideal selection for the holidays. It features no improvised solos but

Amazingly true to the original version, John Berry has scored this well-known television theme for young jazz ensembles. With moderate ranges and no solos required, this one will go together quickly and

This hit from the group Twenty One Pilots starts off as an elegant ballad and heats up halfway through the chart to a powerful, exciting rock tune. There are no solo sections in this chart, but the drummer

Adele's megahit ballad adapts nicely for young players in this well-paced arrangement by Rick Stitzel. A solo alto sax starts things out, then the melody is passed to the trombones, and then the full band