Description: Composed in the '50s, this entertaining holiday tune has been recorded notably by Kay Star, and more recently the Brian Setzer Orchestra. A dynamic and swingin' addition to any holiday concert!
Description: Originally recorded in the '70s, Bill Withers' distinctive slow rocker has become a classic. The minor mode adds to the flavor, and Rick's version for young players skillfully passes the melody from section to section. Also included is a solo for tenor sax.
Description: Mariah Carey's holiday hit remains a favorite year after year. In the hands of Rick Stitzel this medium swing chart features easy rhythms and reduced ranges for younger players. Sure to sound great with limited rehearsal time.
Description: One of the classic early hits by the Beatles, this catchy tune features an immediately recognizable melody and a driving swing/shuffle style. Included in this version for young players is the famous guitar break adapted for sax solo or soli.
Description: Reminiscent of the classic version by Count Basie, here is a terrific medium swing setting of this familiar standard for vocal solo and jazz ensemble.
Description: Made famous by the Count Basie Orchestra, here is a great-sounding, yet playable version of this standard for developing bands. Including feature spots for every section and optional solos for trumpet and trombone, Rick Stitzel does a nice job of maintaining an authentic sound even in this easy version.
Description: This well-known standard is usually performed as a duet and has been recorded countless times over the years. This charming arrangement for beginning players features the saxes and trumpets in the answering phrases. No solos are required, however an alto soloist could be used in one of the soli sections. This will sound great with limited rehearsal time.
Description: This familiar jazz standard certainly retains its timeless quality even today. Skillfully arranged for young players, this chart features saxes on the main melody supported by answers in the brass. Also included is a short solo for tenor sax, as well as solid scoring for the entire ensemble.
Description: From the musical Sweet Charity, this familiar standard has come to epitomize the bluesy bump-and-grind slow swing style. Your trombones will have fun with the signature riff, and every section of the band gets a chance at the melody.
Description: Josef Jawinul and Weather Report turned the jazz world on its ear with this iconic fusion composition from the 1977 album Heavy Weather. Arranged here for 6 horns and rhythm section, this version retains all the drive and uplifting energy of the original.
Description: This easy swing tune is a great way to introduce the music of Dizzy Gillespie to your young players. Trumpets take the first chorus, followed by the saxes on the second. Skillful scoring for young players is evident throughout complete with some nice dynamic nuances. The short solo section can be played by a trumpet soloist or the entire section.
Description: Here is a great sounding original in a retro medium rock style. Based on a question and answer format between brass and saxes, Rick's appealing chart is simple to learn and requires no solos.
Description: What a tasty-sounding swing original by Rick Stitzel! This minor blues features a catchy melody, solid ensemble writing, and a perfect solo setting for just about any player. Works great for festivals or casual concerts!
Description: Here's a great way to introduce the music of Count Basie to your younger players. Carefully scored for beginning groups, this medium swing chart trades the melody between the trumpets and saxes, includes a solo or soli for trumpet, and a brief shout chorus using tutti rhythms for the entire band.
Description: In the skilled hands of Rick Stitzel, here is a classy yet easy version of this familiar samba. Every section gets a chance to play the melody at some point, plus there is a solo section for any sax or flute.
Description: Grade 1.5 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! Enjoy great flexibility with the Discovery Jazz series! Playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, piano and drums.
Description: Made famous by Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, here is a fun chart from the early swing era. Saxes do most of the heavy lifting supported by punches and backgrounds in the brass. Also featured is a short solo for any tenor or baritone sax.
Description: One of the many distinctive hits from the Beatles, Can't Buy Me Love is arranged here in a medium up-tempo shuffle groove and provides a marvelous swing setting for the entire ensemble.
Description: Originally recorded by The Meters in 1969, Cissy Strut has since become a model for playing funk, recorded by both jazz and rock artists. The signature bass line is played by trombones, tenors and baritone sax, and the entire band joins in with the catchy riffs. There are short solo breaks for the bass and drums, along with solo or soli spots for saxes and trumpets.
Description: Written for Frank Sinatra (and the title track of his 1958 album), this tune epitomizes the cool sounds of the swing era. Here's a smartly scored version for beginning bands, written with modest ranges but still maintaining an authentic style. Included is plenty of tutti ensemble playing plus short solos (or soli) for sax and trumpet. A great way to teach swing.
Description: Recorded by Queen, this classic hit features a medium tempo shuffle style and an infectious upbeat feel. The melody is traded around the band and the saxes take the lead in the stop-time clapping section. A fun chart even if you have limited rehearsal time, and no solos are required.
Description: Here's the hot dance hit recorded by Cupid in a hard-hitting yet easy to play version for very young players. The melody is cleverly traded between sections, and there are no solos required.
Description: From the acclaimed guitarist for the Count Basie Orchestra, Freddie Greene, here is his medium swing classic Down for Double in an excellent arrangement for young players. With the saxes taking the lead complemented by figures from the brass, and short solos for tenor and trumpet, this chart swings hard from beginning to end.
Description: Recorded in 1969, this iconic Latin rock tune helped boost the success of Santana and has remained a familiar classic ever since. This solid arrangement for young players passes the melody around from the brass to the saxes, and includes written or ad lib. solos for tenor sax and trumpet.
Description: Popular again thanks to the recent recording by Michael Buble, this hit was originally from the Broadway musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. This bluesy arrangement requires no solos, but gives each section of the band a chance to be featured.
Description: Recorded on the landmark album Kind of Blue, this Miles Davis blues standard is a perfect improvising tool for beginning players, and a great introduction to a legendary jazz figure.
Description: This instrumental hit by Hugh Masekela soared to the top of the charts in 1968, featuring an energetic pop groove and catchy brass riffs. In this chart for young players, Rick has beautifully captured the unique flavor of the original, and includes the transcribed solo of Hugh Masekela which can be played by a trumpet soloist or by the entire section. Different and fun!
Description: One of the bebop classics that defined an era, Groovin' High arranged here by Rick Stitzel is a great introduction to the music of Dizzy Gillepsie for your younger players. With careful attention to ranges and tempo, this chart is very playable and features solos for trumpet and alto.
Description: This haunting ballad from the '40s received notoriety as the theme song for television's Mike Hammer. The saxophone section takes the spotlight here while the brass add background figures to spice things up. Also included is a solo or soli section for saxes.
Description: Adele's mega-hit ballad adapts nicely for young players in this well-paced arrangement by Rick Stitzel. A solo alto sax starts things out, then the melody is passed to the trombones, and finally the full band. Nice change of pace, and very effective.
