Young Jazz Classics Series

Here's a great sounding and very playable chart on this familiar jazz standard that features the drummer on brushes and tasty figures from the full ensemble. Perfect for either festivals or casual occ...

Mark has arranged this well-known jazz tune by Bobby Timmons as a piano feature at the beginning. The saxes take it after the piano and there is a solo section with sample written solos for piano, ten...

Paul Murtha has skillfully adapted this monster chart from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band to a younger level while still maintaining all the intensity and drive of the original. The trombones take the...

Morricone's memorable movie theme has been recordedby artists ranging from trumpeter Chris Botti to violinist Joshua Bell. Here is a beautiful setting for young jazz ensembles featuring a flugelhorn s...

From Trombone Shorty's acclaimed CD Backatown, here is the hot title cut arranged for big band in a funky medium tempo. With a blend of catchy riffs, solid ensemble passages, and stop-time breaks, thi...

Irving Berlin's tuneful standard was put back on the map with the classic scene from Mel Brooks' movie 'Young Frankenstein'. This clever arrangement alternates between a 2-beat feel and straight ahead...

Set in a distinctive medium swing/shuffle groove, Michael's version for young ensembles presents a contemporary styling of this classic song from Porgy and Bess. Mixing a variety of ensemble textures,...

Absolutely dripping with the blues, here is a sultry version of the Ellington classic that features trumpet and trombone as they cry out the plaintive melody. Written in a call and response style, thi...

Grade 3. (Jennings)

This outstanding Oliver Nelson composition has been a jazz favorite for many years. This arrangement alternates between small group statements of the melody with full ensemble sections. The modal chor...

When it comes to Latin compositions, it just doesn't get any better than the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. This classic tune is nicely adapted for young players, featuring the brass on the 'one note'...

This appealing and lighthearted tune by Charlie Parker is treated here in a medium-tempo samba style. A small group comprised of alto, tenor, trumpet, trombone and guitar takes the lead for the first...

Although originally an Italian song composed in 1960, Estate has become a jazz standard thanks in part to the Bossa nova version recorded by Joao Gilberto. This smooth version for younger players feat...

Most notably recorded by Frank Sinatra, here is this familiar standard arranged effectively for younger bands. The style is an effortless-sounding medium swing, and this chart makes it enjoyable for l...

Here's one of the most recognizable standards ever written, effectively scored for youger groups by Mark Taylor in a Basie swing style. This chart features tutti ensemble writing at its best, and also...

Here is a medium swing version of this marvelous often-played standard. Peter Blair's chart opens with a duet of alto and trumpet with ensemble punches. The saxes are featured on a chorus and there is...

One of the all-time Ellington classics is this elegant medium swing tune. Mark's smooth arrangement features plenty of rich ensemble scoring plus solos for trumpet and trombone.

Here's a perfect touch of swing era nostalgia with this signature tune from the Glenn Miller Orchestra. All the elements from the original are here including the famous sax melody, trumpet and alto so...

Written in a medium swing style, this appealing chart opens in a half-time feel featuring the saxes. Later a heavier swing style sets in with the full ensemble, a sax soli, solo for trumpet, and a dri...

One of the trademark tunes from the Duke Ellington library, this familiar jazz classic is solidly scored for young players in this terrific arrangement by Mark Taylor. When it comes to playable charts...

Carefully utilizing every section of the band, here is a skillfully arranged version of this jazz favorite recorded by Illinois Jacquet and also Count Basie. Featuring a medium swing style and phrases...

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 1936. Since then it has remained a popular jazz standard, an...