Young Jazz Classics

From the film Swing Time and originally performed by Fred Astaire, The Way You Look Tonight won the Academy Award for best original song in 1936. Since then it has remained a popular jazz standard, an...

This chart has it all. Featuring a great swing feel, solid scoring and dynamic contrasts, this arrangement is perfect for younger bands just learning to swing, or experienced bands showing that they c...

Paul Murtha has skillfully adapted this monster chart from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band to a younger level while still maintaining all the intensity and drive of the original. The trombones take the...

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 shi...

Jazz Classics for the Young Ensemble - Grade 3 This standard blues tune really swings in the expert hands of Mark Taylor. The trumpets are featured off the top, followed by the saxes and a solo sectio...

Absolutely dripping with the blues, here is a sultry version of the Ellington classic that features trumpet and trombone as they cry out the plaintive melody. Written in a call and response style, thi...

This jazz standard was composed by legendary vibraphonist Milt Jackson and recorded notably by Milt with Oscar Peterson on the album by the same name. Opening with the theme played by a small group of...

This production number for young players offers a perfect way to honor the music of the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra. This swingin' medley takes you through the well-known standards C-Jam Blues,...

This is NOT the '60s pop hit recorded by Bobby Vee, but the classic jazz standard recorded by luminaries such as John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, and Horace Silver (and originally the theme song of the 19...

Recorded by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet in the 1960s, this distinctive samba was composed by Cannonball's brother Nat. Featuring a relaxed Latin groove and the familiar riff-like melodies, Mark's...

Composed in the mid 1950s, Bim-Bom is considered the very first bossa nova! Notably recorded by artists such as Sergio Mendes, Astrud Gilberto, and Stan Getz, Roger's version of this familiar standard...

Although the first hit recording of this enduring standard was by the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1940, The Nearness of You has remained popular through the ages with recordings by countless artists. Ar...

The definitive recording of this jazz classic is by Bill Evans, with other notable recordings by Cannonball Adderley and Joe Henderson. Paul Murtha's arrangement for young groups features a Latin styl...

At the peak of the big band era, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Charlie Barnet recorded his famous version of Cherokee followed shortly by this second big hit. Treated here in a samba style, Sky...

Although originally an Italian song composed in 1960, Estate has become a jazz standard thanks in part to the Bossa nova version recorded by Joao Gilberto. This smooth version for younger players feat...

Mark Taylor has taken this Stanley Turrentine jazz classic and crafted an excellent bluesy chart for younger players. The style is medium slow swing and the minor changers are great for soloing. A rea...

The ultimate Alto Sax feature! John Berry makes it work for younger groups in this well-written chart. Guaranteed winner.

Required literature for the noble study of Monk, this arrangement of a jazz classic will delight young bands as well as experienced groups. You can play it as fast or slow as you like, and it will sou...

The sax section gets a turn in the spotlight on this enjoyable chart of Lester Young's jazz classic. This medium up-tempo chart features a great swing feel and a flexible solo section with ensemble ba...

One of the classic blues tunes of all time, here is vibes giant Milt Jackson's familiar riff tune in a playable swing arrangement from Mark Taylor. Trumpet and tenor (along with vibes and guitar) take...

John Coltrane's wonderful jazz classic is written in a medium up-tempo swing style and features solid ensemble figures alternating with a small combo (alto, tenor, bari. , tpt. , tbn.). Includes solos...

Beautifully scored with tutti ensemble rhythms played softly and featuring the drummer on brushes, here is a strikingly effective version of this Rodgers & Hart favorite. Also includes a sax soli and...