Easy Jazz Ensemble ? Grade 2The jazz ensemble setting allows a nice way to explore traditional holiday favorites in different styles than they normally appear. Here is a Basie-style medium swing version (in 4) ofthis familiar tune using plenty of full ensemble playing and easy rhythmic patterns. Also including a sax soli but no solos this chart will be easy to put together and will sound great on your winter concert.

Correlated to Unit 5 of Jazz Expressions?, Sweet Georgia Brown is a great jazz classic arranged by Mike Lewis at the easy level. The focus in this chart is on syncopation using easy rhythms, modest ranges, and clear articulation to provide an effective and consistent foundation for learning jazz. No improvised solos, only ensemble and section work in a traditional swing setting. Optional parts for flute, clarinet, horn, baritone horn, tuba, AND STRINGS - violin (2), viola, and cello. Wow!

Here's a fresh new take on a traditional jazz standard. The style is still uptempo swing and the saxes maintain a fair share of the spotlight along with ensemble hits and solo spots for drums. However there is a brief excursioninto 5/4 and a few other meter surprises that help give this outstanding chart a contemporary edge.

A reggae-swing feel at 110 BPM. A modern spin on a traditional tune with written solos for trombone 1 and alto sax 1, and trumpet 1 range to written E top space. Includes various optional parts to include vibes. (2:57) / Ensemble De Jazz

Traditional Mende Song-Commissioned by the South Carolina Band Directors Association Finya Wulo (Mende – “funeral song”) is written using a distinctive 12/8 “bembe” feel in a moderate tempo. The scoring utilizes asmall combo contrastedwith passages for the full ensemble. This is an adventurous and engaging work featuring extended harmonies and a unique rhythmic tapestry. Solos are included for trumpet and tenor sax.

Written in a traditional Basie-style swing Roger has done a nice job of turning this familiar standard into a solid swinging chart for young players. Includes brief solos for piano and tenor sax and plenty of tutti ensemble scoring.

Using a Basie-style swing treatment and written in 4/4 rather than the traditional 3/4 here is a great-sounding chart from Mark Taylor that will go together quickly. All sections get a chance to shine one this one!

With Arturo Sandoval's newest CD ?Hot House? the trumpet master strongly asserts himself as a force to be reckoned with in the area of big band jazz. This is the lead-off tune to the CD and it combines the traditionalCuban dance style with a bit of contemporary funk. The result is a sultry mix that is both dynamic and powerful. Includes solos for Tenor and Trumpet.

Ce qui compte dans un chemin, ce qui compte dans une ligne, c'est toujours le milieu, pas le début ni la fin. On est toujours au milieu d'un chemin, au milieu de quelque chose. ' (Gilles Deleuze, Claire Parnet, Dialogues.)Charmediterrannéen représente un moment très significatif de mes recherches sur les relations entre notre langage maternel (les musiques ethniques de la Méditerranée, surtout de l'Afrique du Nord, du sud de l'Italie et de la Sardaigne, lieu de mes racines) et le jazz contemporain.Le but, c'est de mettre en route des collisions de différentes qualités de langage pour inventer des images nouvelles, le devenir d'une rencontre dans le temps d'éléments contraires, qui se révéleraient complémentaires ? régularité / irrégularité - continuité / discontinuité - vitesse / lenteur - présence / absence - musique et? poésie, photographie, danse? - blanc / noir - saleté / propreté - juste / faux - son / silence - vide / plein - tradition / innovation - jazz / non jazz?A la recherche d'une ligne de passage des formes à l'action, ce qui, sur le plan musical, signifie réussir à aller au-delà des partitions, qui seront rigoureuses et soignées. Il s'agit toutefois de découvrir ce qu'il y a derrière l'écriture? L'essence du matériel, dans sa différence, est ce qui dépasse la structure, c'est l'aspect merveilleux de l'art de l'improvisation que je définis comme ' un geste, quelque chose qui intéresse la culture refoulée du corps et de ses émotions, qui synthétise en un seul instant/instinct créatif les étapes caractérisant les processus de l'art de composer : connaissance, pensée, décision. ' / Big Band

This exciting up-tempo composition in the bebop tradition features Trumpet and Alto on the melody with the other horns playing accompaniment figures. From Don Sickler's album Night Watch (Uptown UPCD 27.39) this is an excellentshowpiece for a mature and aggressive combo.

In the tradition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Chattanooga Choo Choo here is one of the classic swing tunes from the '40s made famous by Louis Jordan. The saxes get a workout on the main theme then the brass take the lead onthe familiar chorus. This entertaining chart is as fun to play as it is to listen to.