Ensemble

One of the most engaging and lighthearted of all Mingus' compositions, this was originally meant to provide a musical bridge from Jelly Roll Morton to Mingus' own unique compositional voice. Here is a marvelous version for big band that alternates between a medium slow 2-beat feel and straight ahead swing. Includes solos for trombone, alto and trumpet.

Jazz Ensemble Library - Grade 4 One of the highlights from Miles Davis' landmark recording Birth of the Cool is this medium swing composition by Gerry Mulligan. Skillfully adapted for full jazz ensemble from the original, this arrangement features solos for trumpet and baritone sax (opt. tenor), as well as stellar ensemble writing. A classic!

Canadian Brass. For Double Brass Quintet.

Grade 3. (Lowden)

From the popular CD In The Christmas Mood by the esteemed Glenn Miller Alumni Band, this swingin' chart in classic Miller style has been used in several recent motion pictures. Your audiences will enjoy this throwback to the glory years of the swing era.

Adapted from the chart he did for Diana Krall, and recorded with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra on her CD Christmas Songs, here is John Clayton's joyous up-tempo swing chart on this holiday favorite. These jinglin' bells never sounded so good!

With Organ.

Grades 1-2. (Clark)

Young Jazz Ensemble - Grade 3 Although everyone plays it, Jingle Bells was never as hip as in this jumpin' and jivin' swing version from Rick Stitzel. Not just your run-of-the-mill token holiday offering, you won't find anyone in the audience sleeping through this one!

The funky stylings of Horace Silver are featured in this energetic arrangement from the acclaimed CD Live at the MCG recorded by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. A trumpet and tenor duet starts us off, followed by ensemble punches and solos for tenor and trombone. The entire ensemble gets into the act as the chart roars to a climactic finish. From the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra CD, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Live at MCG (MCGJ 1017); Courtesy of MCG Jazz (www.mcgjazz.org).