Soliloquy is a beautiful ballad featuring the alto sax. The tune has a very haunting melody with a couple of unexpected contemporary chord changes. Your first alto player will shine on this piece. There is minimal work for the trumpets and trombones. A great piece for any occasion. This is an original arrangement for a jazz/swing band with standard instrumentation (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section)

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This arrangement demands everything from every section, be it e.g. good timing especially at the beginning, perfect implementation of phrasing, dynamics & technique as well as a solid lead trumpeter, who has to master the high concert Eb at the very end.
Solists: 2nd Trumpet / 2nd Tenor Sax / Piano / written Bass Solo Lines

Note: R.J. Becker, the arranger, usually exploits the full depth of the Bass Trombone. In this arrangement, however, he leaves that pleasure to the Baritone Sax.

R.J. Becker picked this classic and arranged it for Small Big Band. 
This time the Saxes are on spot as they have to show theit technical skills due to the high tempo (260bpm).
Soloists: 2nd Trumpet / Tenor Sax
Note: The arranger added an alternative Bass sheet where instead of the chord symbols, the bass lines are written out.

This title needs no further explanation. R.J. Becker arranged it for SMALL BIG BAND, featuring the 1st (Solo) Trumpet. He chose a medium slow funky groove. It is worth noting that the arranger added a 9th bar in the melody part, while keeping the original 8 bars in the improvisational part. This arrangement is a wonderful alternative to the original and demands an elegant interpretation of the melody, proper improvisation and stamina from the soloist to the final chord.
(Absolutely confident lead trumpeters might even dare to present the final melody part (beginning with the upbeat to bar 61) an octave higher...) 
Soloists: 1st Trumpet / Piano (Keyboard).

R.J. Becker arranged this classic for a 13 piece Small Big Band 
(Alto Sax / Tenor Sax / Baritone Sax / 1.-3. Trumpet / 1.&2. Trombone / Bass Trombone / Piano / Guitar / Bass & Drums). 
The Trombones, followed by the Trumpets, are on spot right at the start.
After the melody, played by the Saxophones, a 2nd Trumpet Solo continues, followed by a shout chorus,
which gradually builds up to fortissimo, subsides, returns to the melody before this chart ends with a punchy final chord.

Good News is an original straight-ahead swung tune for jazz/swing band or ensemble. It is written for standard instrumentation (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section). A catchy trombone soli melody opens the tune at 120 beats per minute. Room is provided for soloists to stretch out including a written-out optional solo for tenor sax and trumpet. The tune builds toward a double forte section with all instruments playing in a contrapuntal ensemble before the final statemenbt of the melody. This piece will make a wonderful addition to any program. This is an original arrangement for a jazz/swing band with standard instrumentation (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section).

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Burn is a hard driving funk style chart scored for jazz band. At a tempo of 130 beats per minute it really does burn. The piece opens with a strong rhythmic figure played by the entire band based on quartal harmony. Then the main melody enters in a soli passage for the saxes. Ist trumpet must be able to hit a Bb above the staff on this one. Room for solos is provided. It would make a great addition to any program. After teaching music in the PA public schools for over thirty years I found that there were never enough good quality, accessible arrangements available. Hopefully this piece will help remedy that situation. This is an original arrangement for a jazz/swing band with standard instrumentation (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section).

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This great Hard Bop tune, composed by Wayne Henderson, performed by the Jazz Crusaders in the 60s, was arranged for SMALL BIG BAND by R.J. Becker, featuring 2nd Trumpet & Piano, but mainly the drummer, who has to prove her/his skills in an open solo. The fast tempo demands a lot from each individual player.

This beautiful Herbie Hancock composition was arranged by R.J. Becker, featuring the Soprano Sax, melodically supported by the Guitar.
A correct implementation of dynamics and phrasing is absolutely necessary.

R.J. Becker arranged this wondeful Frank Rosolino Jazz Waltz composition for Full Big Band, featuring 1st Trombone & 1st Alto Sax.
While Frank Rosolino changed his original 3/4 signature compostition to a more vivid 4/4 signature, unforgettable Cannonball Adderley  kept the Jazz Waltz tune so as Becker this beautiful Big Band arrangement.

This lovely ballad was beautifully arranged by R.J. Becker for a (13 piece) Small Big Band (Alto Sax / Tenor Sax / Baritone Sax / 1.-3. Trumpet / 1. & 2. Trombone / Bass Trombone / Piano / Guitar / Bass & Drums. Even if the individual parts give the impression of a simple arrangement at first glance, one should not underestimate the sometimes challenging tuning due to the more complex chord progressions and their clusters. In addition, each individual player has to master her/his sheet quite soft (mp) throughout the entire piece - with the exception of a short passage. If these elementary details are observed, this nice tune is a treat for the audience as well for each player.