Jazz Ensemble for Beginners

'Jazzin' the World' is a superb holiday medley featuring 'Joy to the World,' 'Silent Night,' 'Deck the Halls,' and 'Greensleeves.' This chart can be performed with each tune played individually or as...

Recorded by Ray Charles in 1963, this funky classic has been covered by countless artists, but is probably best remembered from Ray's performance of it in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. Arranged he...

The title speaks for itself! Victor Lopez does it yet again with this classic pop song now for the young jazz musician. No solos but plenty of funky groove plus a call-and-response section. Lead trump...

Jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard has sadly passed on, but his wonderful music lives in this masterfully-arranged haunting melody with an alternating bossa and light funk groove. Solos are written for pi...

Featuring piano in a familiar gospel-flavored role, this original for developing groups has been skillfully orchestrated so as to support, but never eclipse, the sound of the soloist. The majority of...

One of the best-known tunes from the swing era is this classic from the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This updated chart from Mike Sweeney features very comfortable ranges, easy rhythmic patterns, and short...

Mike was able to create an easy version of this classic from the swing era without sacrificing the sound and style of the original. The trumpet section is the primary featured section, however the sax...

Includes: Ain't Misbehavin'; All the Things You Are; Blue Train (Blue Trane); Caravan; Chameleon; Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words); The Girl from Ipanema (Garota De Ipanema); In the Mood; Inside Ou...

One of the best-known swing standards ever, here's a wonderful version for young players. With plenty of tutti ensemble playing in addition to solis for the saxes and trombones, this is a chart that w...

The jazz world mourns the loss of British pianist and composer George Shearing, who passed away in 2011. Here is his most famous composition in a carefully crafted arrangement for young bands. Every s...

Patterned after the well-known version recorded by Ray Charles, this effective swing chart for young players opens with the hard-hitting introduction followed by a sultry solo trumpet on the stop-time...

Opening with a small group feature (alto, tenor, trumpet and trombone), this easy arrangement features plenty of scoring variety, and a nicely flowing moderate swing style. Also included is a brief sa...

Recorded in 1932 by Bennie Moten's own Kansas City Orchestra, this jazz classic was notably stylized by Count Basie in 1940. Rick Stitzel's easy version is true to the Basie style, featuring tutti ens...

This standard by Horace Silver features a distinctive bass line groove and a laid back Latin style. Expertly adapted for this easy level, here is a great way to introduce the music of this jazz master...

Teach your early jazz players authentic Merengue style with this fiery Latin original. Great yet accessible parts for all sections and your rhythm section will be on fire. Open solos for all sections...

Includes: Birdland; Born to Be Wild; Eli's Comin'; Here, There and Everywhere; How High The Moon; Malaguena; A Night in Tunisia; Peanut Vendor; Shake, Rattle, and Roll; Stompin' at the Savoy; A String...

A shuffle swing vocal chart on an upbeat song with lyrics provided to accommodate female or male vocalists. The tempo is around 142 BPM, with a few stop time sections, no horn solos, just swingin' voc...

Here is an easy version of this Latin favorite arranged in a moderate bolero style. The trombones are featured on the opening theme and there is very skilled ensemble writing for young players through...

With an almost hypnotic 3/4 rhythmic pattern, here is an effective yet easy version of this standard made famous by John Coltrane. The saxes are featured on the first chorus then the brass get a choru...

Classy Latin sounds abound in this moderately paced chart that showcases the melodic and harmonic genius of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Opening with a rhythm section vamp, the trumpets take the first chorus...

One of the classic examples of the Afro-Cuban style in jazz, Manteca endures as a true standard. Available here in a version playable by young bands, Michael Sweeney carefully simplifies the complexit...

In the skilled hands of Rick Stitzel, here is a classy yet easy version of this familiar samba. Every section gets a chance to play the melody at some point, plus there is a solo section for any sax o...

This was one of Stevie Wonder's signature hits from the 1970s, and here is a masterfully arranged easy version in a light bossa style. Trombones grab the spotlight in the beginning and again at the en...