Jazz Ensemble Ballads

In the tradition of Neal Hefti's classic L'il Darlin, 3am is a warm ensemble ballad that opens with a brief written solo for piano and features improvised solos for muted trumpet and tenor sax. It

This powerful rock ballad, with its blues-tinged melodic and harmonic structure, is a great feature for developing alto saxophone or trumpet soloists throughout. The solo part is entirely notated with no

This easy bossa nova ballad makes a perfect change of pace that's easy to work up for your next concert. There are no solos in this arrangement. You will enjoy the evocative melody in the saxophones and the

This lush chart on Alone Together is a beautiful ensemble jazz ballad with a haunting melody and lots of interesting counterpoint and harmonies. Written with comfortable ranges and played

Always Simpatico will take audiences through a unique and satisfying musical journey. The humble melody introduced at the beginning travels from section to section, building in intensity each time

Jazz groups with a strong lead alto sax player will enjoy this ballad in film noir style. Its smoky harmonies and wistful melody are broken up with a double-time swing section before a powerful reprise at

Oh, yes! This is a superb setting of the iconic jazz ballad that features the alto sax star in your band. The alto solo is mostly written with opportunities to improvise around the melody, and the ensemble

Here is a lush, melancholy ballad featuring the full ensemble followed by an alto sax either written or improvised. After a brief sax soli, the ballad builds to an exhilarating finale.

Transparent and gentle textures permeate this treatment of Jeff Coffin's lyrical South African-inspired jazz waltz. Commissioned by Jeff for the 2011 Massachusetts All-State Jazz Band, Bob Washut's

This beautiful ballad made famous by the great Etta James makes a perfect change of pace for any concert. Featuring a sultry tenor saxophone solo sprinkled with melodic replies from other sections and

At the End of the Day is an exceptional ballad solo feature for alto sax or trumpet/flugelhorn. The solo and rhythm section parts are completely written and the ranges are modest with the

Featuring an alto saxophone or trumpet player in a tasty, rock ballad setting, this creative original features a gorgeous solo theme that is completely written. The ensemble provides a lush foundation

Pat Metheny is known for his beautiful melodies, and Back in Time is no exception. Featuring a flugelhorn or trumpet soloist throughout on a written-out solo with chords included for improvisation,

With a tip of the hat to the great Neal Hefti, A Ballad For Basie is exactly the type of ensemble ballad that Count Basie was famous for. Featuring mostly full ensemble work, this one asks for

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

This Ellington-style ballad is what big band music is all about. It features a wide array of potential solos with featured solo parts included for alto sax, tenor sax, flugelhorn, bass trombone, and guitar.