Description:
John Berry has skillfully arranged this Glenn Miller classic for beginning groups and maintained the important elements from the original version. Here is a great way to introduce this important band leader to your young players.¦
Description:
Recorded by such greats as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and most recently Michael McDonald, this rockin' Motown classic will sound great with your beginning players. Easy to learn and fun to play! (Includes CD)
John Berry (Arranger)
Nickolas Ashford (Composer)
Valerie Simpson (Composer)
Description:
Motown is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and one of its headline groups was certainly The Temptations. This hit by the “Temps” epitomizes the down-to-earth rhythm and blues style that made their music so popular.
Description:
The young jazz vocalist Renee Olstead recorded this song from the Roaring Twenties featured in the popular film Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. Your choirs will love the razz-a-ma-tazz of this fun number with the timeless message to keep up your spirits even when things are not going your way. Available separately: SSA, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:45.
Mark Brymer (Arranger)
Renee Olstead (Artist)
Gus Kahn (Composer)
Raymond Egan (Composer)
Richard Whiting (Composer)
Description:
Some tunes seem to get better with age. Mike's version of this swingin' standard is written in a medium shuffle style and is easy to learn. The solo section features stop-time ensemble figures and written sample solos.
Michael Sweeney (Arranger)
Mayme Watts (Composer)
Sid Wyche (Composer)
This is really not “just another blues”, but rather an excellent medium swing chart perfect for inexperienced bands. The blues format makes it comfortable for beginning soloists and sample solos are provided for alto or tenor sax.
Description:
Here's an easy version of this big band favorite from the Count Basie Orchestra. Your audience is sure to recognize this one, and it's the perfect way to introduce young players to one of the great bands of all time.
Michael Sweeney (Arranger)
Count Basie Orchestra (Artist)
E.Y. Harburg (Composer)
Vernon Duke (Composer)
Description:
Here is an easy swing version of this timeless classic. The saxes are in the spotlight, but also featured is a short solo for trumpet. Skillfully arranged for inexperienced bands.
John Berry (Arranger)
Jacques Prevert (Composer)
Johnny Mercer (Composer)
Joseph Kosma (Composer)
Description:
Here's a fun original swing tune with a bit of an edge! Michael Sweeney again shows his understanding of this easy level in this well-written blues that features some minor dissonances for spice and a melody that really swings. Includes sample solos for alto and trumpet, but you can have anyone solo. Your band will sound great playing this one!
Description:
Carefully arranged so that every section gets a chance to play the melody, here is a fun shuffle arrangement for young players on this popular Jim Croce song.
Description:
Here is one of a very select group of blues standards that every jazz musician should know. Paul's very easy version makes it accessible to young players and gives beginning improvisers a wonderful platform to start from.
Description:
Recorded by American jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, here is a great teaching tool for introducing blues styles to your younger choirs. Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:25.
Tom Anderson (Arranger)
Spencer Williams (Composer)
Description:
Recorded by American jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, here is a great teaching tool for introducing blues styles to your younger choirs. Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:25.
Tom Anderson (Arranger)
Spencer Williams (Composer)
Description:
Recorded by American jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, here is a great teaching tool for introducing blues styles to your younger choirs. Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:25.
Tom Anderson (Arranger)
Spencer Williams (Composer)
Description:
This funky original from Michael Sweeney is very effective for beginning groups and one that is fun to play. Includes short 4-measure feature spots for each section inclding drums. Also features a written or ad lib solo for any sax.
Description:
One of the defining rock acts of the 1970s, the music of Queen is still heard regularly on the radio waves and on the silver screen. This hard-hitting yet easy-to-play medley includes their monster hits We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions and Another One Bites the Dust. A guaranteed winner!
Description:
A jazz classic written by keyboardist Joe Zawinul with lyrics by Jon Hendricks now arranged for younger choirs. A perfect showcase for your beginning vocal jazz group! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:30.
Roger Emerson (Arranger)
Jon Hendricks (Composer)
Josef Zawinul (Composer)
Description:
A jazz classic written by keyboardist Joe Zawinul with lyrics by Jon Hendricks now arranged for younger choirs. A perfect showcase for your beginning vocal jazz group! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:30.
Roger Emerson (Arranger)
Jon Hendricks (Composer)
Josef Zawinul (Composer)
Description:
A jazz classic written by keyboardist Joe Zawinul with lyrics by Jon Hendricks now arranged for younger choirs. A perfect showcase for your beginning vocal jazz group! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:30.
Roger Emerson (Arranger)
Jon Hendricks (Composer)
Josef Zawinul (Composer)
Description:
Here is a great rock original for beginning groups that sets up a nice groove between the bass line and melody played first by trombones/tenors. Later the altos and trumpets take the lead. Also included is a solo (or soli) for trumpet and a short sax soli with brass background figures. Your young players will love playing this one!
Description:
Composed and recorded by jazz legend John Coltrane, this medium tempo blues tune features an easy-to-play melody and solid tutti-style rhythms for the ensemble. In addition, the blues changes and moderate tempo make it a comfortable setting for developing soloists. (Includes CD)
Description:
First released in 1992, this excellent blues original has stood the test of time. Perfect for teaching style and introducing the blues scale as a basis for improvisation.
Description:
This rock classic from the group Steppenwolf is a tune your band will sound great playing with very limited rehearsal time. Guaranteed success with beginning groups.
Michael Sweeney (Arranger)
Steppenwolf (Artist)
Mars Bonfire (Composer)
Description:
From the hit musical Grease, this up-tempo rocker is featured in one of the show's most exciting dance scenes. Jerry's version for younger groups is skillfully done and sure to be a hit.
Jerry Nowak (Arranger)
Jim Jacobs (Composer)
Warren Casey (Composer)
Description:
This well-know Latin standard is a perfect change of pace for a jazz concert. Carefully notated for beginning groups, this is a great introduction to Latin style. Full length recording included.
Jerry Nowak (Arranger)
Ary Barroso (Composer)
S.K. Russell (Composer)
Finally, this Ellington classic is available for even the most inexperienced bands. For starters, this version is in Bb rather than C. Rick features the saxes on the melody with inventive brass counterlines, and later a marvelous ensemble tutti section that starts soft then builds to the end. An absolute must! Performance Time: 3:30
Description:
Mike found a nice jazz shuffle groove for this early Beatles classic that will be a lot of fun for beginning groups. The minor blues solo section allows players to use either the blues scale or dorian mode for ease in improvising. Full length recording included.
Michael Sweeney (Arranger)
The Beatles (Artist)
John Lennon (Composer)
Paul McCartney (Composer)
Description:
This Elvis Presley classic is arranged here in the style of a rock ballad and features a short written-out trumpet solo in the beginning. The melody is skillfully woven between all sections of the band and no ad lib. solos are required.
John Berry (Arranger)
George David Weiss (Composer)
Hugo Peretti (Composer)
Luigi Creatore (Composer)
Description:
One of the most recognizable of all Duke Ellington's tunes, this distinctive composition combines the styles of Latin and big band jazz. Here's a marvelous arrangement playable by beginning groups. (Includes full performance CD)
John Berry (Arranger)
Duke Ellington (Composer)
Irving Mills (Composer)
Juan Tizol (Composer)
