Blues and Swing Jazz Ensemble Charts

This is one of the great pieces written for the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra, founded and conducted by Stan Kenton. Four french horns are essential, along with four trumpets, five trombones, and

This slow swinger has a mysterious and spooky character. The melody is orchestrated for trombone in cup mute and bass clarinet with flute, clarinet, and cup muted trumpet in the accompaniment

Inspired by a similarly-titled original Bob Curnow composed for the great Doc Severinsen, The Doctor Is In was written for trumpeter extraordinaire Dr. Vern Sielert. Set in a medium-up swing

As recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra on their album Berlin Dialogue for Orchestra, Checkpoint Charlie is some of Nelson's most creative writing. Full of uptempo energy, Nelson masterfully

As recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on their album Count Basie's Finest Hour, Doodle Oodle is a barnburning Billy Byers original. In usual Basie fashion, this chart swings its tail off with

Another terrific chart from Stan Kenton's Contemporary Concepts album. This fast-paced, cool bop chart in the unmistakable style of the late, great Gerry Mulligan features trombone throughout. Use this with

Ever heard of Take the 'A' Train? Not like this you haven't! Another ingenious arrangement from the towering Rich DeRosa, this uptempo swing chart is a journey through creative waters from

This is a dazzling arrangement of the great jazz standard. With a mix of Latin and swing styles, Les Hooper has created a special setting of this favorite of jazz players. The chart was commissioned by Cal

As recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra on their album Berlin Dialogue for Orchestra, Checkpoint Charlie is some of Nelson's most creative writing. Full of uptempo energy, Nelson masterfully

Tom Molter has composed an exciting and compelling piece akin to the big-band charts inspired by the music of Pat Metheny. Apollo's Reel is set in a bright 3/4 feel with temporary shifts to a

Mark Taylor uses a mix of small group playing contrasted with full ensemble passages in this early composition from jazz master Wayne Shorter. After a solo section featuring alto sax then trombone, a

Using a combination of hip-hop and up-tempo swing, here's a marvelous take on Bud Powell's bebop classic. A front line of alto, tenor and trumpet are featured off the top followed by an extended soli for

Composed in 1963, it wasn't until Frank Sinatra released his iconic version in 1966 that this familiar tune solidified its place in popular culture. In this medium-slow version for developing players, John

Here's one of Duke Ellington's iconic tunes in a swingin' chart scored for the little big band format. Mark Taylor really gets the most out of just six horn parts in this great-sounding chart! Solo space is

From the film "Swing Time" and originally performed by Fred Astaire, The Way You Look Tonight won the Academy Award for best original song in 1939. Since then it has remained a popular

Your young jazz band will be the life of the party with this flagwaver that's a perfect opener or closer. Suggested solos are provided for the drummer to be the featured soloist in this up-tempo

From the First Place for Jazz Series comes this minor blues chart that features swinging lines and intricate counterpoint for young jazz ensembles. The features include a short "rhythm out" section that

Here it comes! The flagwaver to end all flagwavers for young players, this chart is all fun and excitement. Introduce your students to rhythm changes in an exciting and accessible way with Ready or

American Patrol...but everybody's got that in their library. Well, yes and no. There are many bands using the stock dance band arrangement originally written for five saxes and five brass, and

This swing chart kicks of with a punchy brass-vs-saxes bang, then settles into an easy-going unison melody punctuated by call-and-response style countermelodies. Students only need to know a single chord,

Using only the three chords of the classic blues progression, this down-and-dirty blues chart will end your jazz concert with a bang! Featuring a catchy riff and wailing sax soli, Backseat Driver

When music is called "Hot Jazz" the reference is usually to up-tempo New Orleans style music, but the term should embrace more recent styles as well, and Cookin' at the Continental unequivocally

Horace Silver created a blues with a perfectly consistent character and structured the accompaniments and his piano solo in perfect balance. Orchestrating the piano parts from the original recording is a

Here's one of Horace Silver's most charming tunes. The staccato interludes in 2 and the shift between even melodic eighth notes and the 12/8 texture of the interludes keep the piece interesting, shifting