Ballads for Jazz Ensemble

A patriotic anthem for the ages, this contemporary ballad by Lee Greenwood has already established itself as a standard. Beautifully scored for a vocal soloist, this arrangement makes a powerful state...

This haunting ballad from the '40s received notoriety as the theme song for television's Mike Hammer. The saxophone section takes the spotlight here while the brass add background figures to spice thi...

Recorded by the Jackson 5, this was a number one hit in 1970 and again in 1992 recorded by Mariah Carey. This easy ballad is a nice change of pace for beginning bands that everyone can enjoy.

Available again, here is Frank Mantooth's classic chart from 1987 as performed by the Ashley Alexander Big Band on Seems Like Old Times. Let your piano player show off with this stunning ballad arrang...

Most famously recorded by Josh Groban, here is a nicely scored version for beginning jazz groups that allows each section a chance to play the melody at some point. The arrangement builds to a modulat...

This Rodgers and Hart standard has been recorded countless times and remains a popular choice for singers and instrumentalists alike. Mark's lush setting can also be used as a tenor sax feature and in...

One of the signature ballads from renowned horn band Tower of Power, this tune includes the famous trumpet solo introduction that is one of those magical moments that trumpet players dream about! The...

As performed by Carmen McRae (including the spoken intro), here is John Clayton's sensitive and gorgeous version of For All We Know. The rich ensemble accompaniment is as much a part of the arrangemen...

Composed by George Harrison and recorded by the Beatles on Abbey Road, this has become one of the most enduring ballads of the rock era. With a beautifully constructed melody and rich harmonic structu...

All-time great ballad from Jerome Kern! Mark has taken this standard and crafted a beautiful feature for Tenor Sax. Very effective for soloist and ensemble alike.

Here is a beautifully scored version of Whitney Houston's popular ballad from 1985, her first recording to reach #1 on the pop charts. Mark passes the melody around to different sections, but the styl...

Recorded in 1972, Chick Corea's Return to Forever album is recognized as one of the landmark albums of jazz fusion. Along with the jazz standard 'La Fiesta, ' the mesmerizing ballad introduced on this...

From Marvin Hamlisch's landmark musical A Chorus Line, here is the well-known ballad 'What I Did for Love' in a creative and appealing setting for young bands. Written in a medium slow Latin style, it...

This wonderful tune from the early '60s has become a standard recorded by countless artists over the years, most notably Nat King Cole. Mark's setting as a solo feature for alto sax is in a smooth and...

Composed in the 1940s, here is a magnificent rhapsodic treatment of this classic jazz ballad. Mike skillfully features all sections of the band in this lush and flowing arrangement.

Mark Taylor has crafted a unique version of this familiar hit originally recorded by The Beatles. After a gentle ballad-like intro, the style shifts to jazz waltz featuring a tenor sax soloist. Along...

Here is a wonderfully sensitive jazz ballad that features a tenor sax soloist throughout. Mark uses woodwind doubles (optional) and lush harmonies with muted brass textures in creating this stunningly...

This wonderful classic ballad recorded by Stevie Wonder is set here as a feature for tenor sax. Beautifully accompanied by piano only in the beginning, a mellow accompaniment follows (with flugels and...

This iconic jazz standard has remained a favorite for 80 years, and is arranged here for vocal soloist in a straight 8th ballad style. A brief trombone soli provides nice variety and the full ensemble...

Composed in 1970, A Song For You has over the years become one of Leon Russell's most popular songs; recorded by countless artists including Peggy Lee, Michael Bublé, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, Are...

Based on the version recorded by Clifford Brown accompanied by strings, this marvelous ballad from 1930 provides your trumpet soloist the perfect opportunity for lyric stylings. The written solo part...

Lush and silky aptly describe Henry Mancini's classic ballad. Nothing fancy here, just nicely scored harmonies and melodies for young players. A beautiful ballad for festivals, or change of pace for c...

Sammy Nestico pays tribute to his long-time friend and trombone icon, Bill Watrous, with this touching setting of Mancini's Too Little Time. Written in a lush ballad style, this is a fitting tribute t...

Nat King Cole's classic recording from 1951 and then the duet version recorded by his daughter Natalie in 1991 helped to make this tune truly unforgettable. This well-paced version for vocal soloist s...

One of Dave Brubeck's most famous compositions, this ballad has been recorded by such luminaries as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Wes Montgomery. Arranged here in an easy flowing swin...