Par RICKER RAMON. 'Suspended Animation' is a contemporary straight-eighth feel with sections that can be opened up for any player to solo. The entire composition is built on only two suspended chords, and is written in a manner that makes it easy for young bands to quickly get into the piece. With only two chords to worry about, much of the anxiety of wrong notes is eliminated and the student can immediately concentrate on making music. Professionals will also have fun with the chart when it is opened up for extended solos. The piece was inspired by an improvised solo and chord progression that is found in Volume 1 of the Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series. Beginning improvisers will find the brief Notes on the Improvised Sections helpful. But, a more thorough discussion can be found in Volume 1 of the Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series. Medium Easy Advance Music is proud to present our new Groovin' Easy Series. We've taken 10 tunes from two popular Advance Music publications (Reading Key Jazz Rhythms and The Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series) and asked our writers to give us creative and musically challenging charts that are also playable by young bands. To the normal big band instrumentation of 5 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and rhythm section we've added optional parts for flute, clarinet, French horn, guitar and auxiliary percussion. In addition, each chart is written to sound full with a reduced instrumentation of only 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone and rhythm section. The brass ranges are reasonable with the lead trumpet never going above a written C and the rhythm section parts are carefully notated and thought out./ Répertoire / Big Band

Par RICKER RAMON. Contemporary straight-eighth 'Maiden Voyage' feel. This chart takes up where 'Suspended Animation' left off. Uses same two suspended chords and adds a bridge. There is space for anyone in the band to solo. To help the beginning improviser, the composer has included some brief 'Notes on the Improvised Sections'. In addition this chart is correlated with material found in Vol. 1 of the Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series. Advance Music is proud to present our new Groovin' Easy Series. We've taken 10 tunes from two popular Advance Music publications (Reading Key Jazz Rhythms and The Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series) and asked our writers to give us creative and musically challenging charts that are also playable by young bands. To the normal big band instrumentation of 5 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and rhythm section we've added optional parts for flute, clarinet, French horn, guitar and auxiliary percussion. In addition, each chart is written to sound full with a reduced instrumentation of only 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone and rhythm section. The brass ranges are reasonable with the lead trumpet never going above a written C and the rhythm section parts are carefully notated and thought out./ Répertoire / Big Band

The unique genius and originality of Charles Mingus is nowhere more apparent than in this symphonic masterpiece adapted for big band by Sy Johnson. Involving no improvisation but rather a series of through-composed colors andchanging moods the Mingus Big Band has been amazing audiences for years with this impressive concert piece. Stunningly effective and different!

This is probably Charles Mingus' best-known composition. Sy Johnson's updated chart is the authentic version as performed by the Mingus Big Band on the CD Blues and Politics.

Here is a classic mambo from Latin master Tito Puente. Rick Stitzel's easy version is authentic sounding and includes solid full band writing and solos for tenor and/or trumpet. The rhythm section parts are carefully notated including the piano montuno. Marvelous Latin sounds for younger players!

From the Mingus Big Band CD Gunslinging Birds here is an unpredictable romp for mature bands. Exploring a wide mix of seemingly unrelated sections the genius and eccentricity of Mingus is apparent as the piece comes together ingrand fashion finally settling in on a medium swing groove (for a while).