El Gato

Correlated to the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method, El Gato is a great introduction to the Latin style.  The chart draws inspiration from the cha-cha where the rhythms are very idiomatic of the style and the rhythms are repeated often to allow students to fully assimilate them.  This arrangement may be played with reduced instrumentation, or can utilize additional band instruments for inclusion of nontraditional jazz band players.  The chart also comes with an excellent CD for style and improvisation techniques and the solos are written, improvised or can be omitted entirely.  With cool licks, your students are sure to get into this tune!