Count Basie’s arrangers would often take a minimalist approach to their writing. The essential elements were a riff-based melody and a shout chorus interspersed with creative soloists. Back Bay Breeze makes use of that formula in an easygoing happily swinging way. A shout chorus with a Basie-style tag makes the perfect ending to this gem from Bryan Kidd former chief arranger with the D.C. Navy Band.

Scored in the key of F this chart begins with a slow chorale written for the full horn section. A drum fill sets the tempo for the bright gospel rock section with trumpet tutti lead. An E above tuning C is all you need for your lead trumpet. No solos... just excellent ensemble writing.

Here's an F minor blues that bounces back and forth between a two-beat and four-beat feel. Featuring a quartet of muted trumpets and saxes with optional flute this minor blues really cooks in the middle. There's an extended sax soli before the final shout chorus. You'll want to put this one on your festival list.