Jazz Charts with Reduced Instrumentation

A swingin' blues but with a fun twist: 13-bar blues! Suggested solos are written for tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, and some brief drum set fills. The trumpet range is up to a written E top space. Your

One of the iconic early hits by the Beatles, this catchy tune features an immediately recognizable melody and a driving swing/shuffle style. Included in this version for young players is the famous

One of the iconic tunes from the swing era, this enduring standard has been recorded by countless artists ranging from Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra, to

This very playable chart is a bluesy, swinging excursion in G minor. Lots of tutti rhythms in the winds make this an excellent choice for a young ensemble just starting on the jazz path. There are solos for

A standard that really hits the mark! It begins with a bass solo and a trio of winds takes the head. The lead trumpet range to written B above the staff, and there is solo space for tenor with a sample solo

Made famous by The Count Basie Orchestra, here is a great-sounding yet playable version of this standard for developing bands. It includes feature spots for every section and optional written or improvised

This Mike Collins-Dowden swing-style original features a hip melody, interesting call-and-response passages between the saxes and brass, nice dynamic contrasts, a written or improv solo for trumpet, and

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

Ever since The Bare Necessities was first introduced in the classic movie "The Jungle Book," this catchy tune has remained a familiar favorite. Featured again in the 2016 movie, here is an easy

The great Count Basie was the master at short solo fills that were beautifully crafted musical statements. Feature your piano player on this easy medium swing chart in the Basie style. All piano fills are

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

Great scoring and a solid melody make this straight-ahead swing chart a great choice for younger bands. The minor harmonies provide an easy entry into the world of improvisation. With its flexible scoring,

This familiar Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart jazz standard has certainly retained its timeless quality even today. Skillfully arranged for younger players in a medium swing style, this chart features saxes

Wow, this accessible swing chart has it all... a medium-up tempo, cool melodic lines, textural variety, mature harmonies, easy brass ranges, written or ad lib solos for tenor 1 and trombone 1, and a highly

This easy swing tune is a great way to introduce the music of Dizzy Gillespie to young jazz musicians. The trumpets take the first chorus followed by the saxes on the second. Skillful scoring for young

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

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

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

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 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