Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1433756 By Various Artists. By Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers. Arranged by Sam Fettig. 20th Century,Broadway,Jazz,Musical/Show. 49 pages. Sam Fettig #1013985. Published by Sam Fettig (A0.1433756). https://www.samfettigmusic.com/JAZZ ENSEMBLE GRADE 1.5PROGRAM NOTESSurrey With the Fringe on Top is a song from the 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!”. It became a standard song among jazz musicians, especially after Miles Davis recorded it. There is a wonderful version recorded by saxophonist  Cannonball Adderly on his 1955 album “Cannonball Adderly With Strings”. PERFORMANCE NOTESSurrey With the Fringe on Top is a 32-bar AABA form in the key of concert B flat. In this arrangement, the A-section melody features several tongue-in-cheek grand pause moments. These are indicated by fermatas over quarter note rests. Have fun with these spots, varying the length of time you pause, which can done with a comical effect. The solo section at bar 37 is open to any player, and a set of notes is provided for improvisation. The backgrounds at 41 are to be played each time, and the solo section can be repeated as necessary for additional solos. The shout chorus at bar 47 should be played at full volume. Be sure to investigate and balance the chords among the wind instruments.  The shout chorus winds down with a call and response between the brass and saxes.I hope you have fun with this classic tune!

Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1308790 Composed by Charles Tenet. Arranged by Tobi Crawford. Jazz. Set of parts. 10 pages. Tobi Crawford #898036. Published by Tobi Crawford (A0.1308790). *THIS ACCOMPANIES THE VOCAL ARRANGEMENT* This arrangement came to me over a number of weeks in a very organic way that began with the ostinato piano figure that prevails throughout the piece. I began playing it unattached to any tune and I just liked the way the line descended in the left hand and how I had to find voicings in the right hand that made harmonic sense – like a puzzle. As I was playing around with this puzzle, thoughts of my father were swirling around in my head – I was at the end of a 4 year period of separation from my parents owing to the fact that I’m a Canadian expat living in the US and the borders were closed for a long time because of Covid, and then I had work visa issues and my parents were getting older before my eyes. They were also losing friends to cancer and other ailments and my dad, in particular, had experienced the loss of many close family members and friends during our separation and it was taking a toll. One day I sat down and played the now familiar-to-me ostinato but randomly I started to sing “Beyond the Sea� over it and it fit perfectly. I thought it a happy coincidence. As the days went on I committed to putting my ostinato with Beyond the Sea and the lyrics started to seep into my brain. I have, of course, heard these lyrics many times before, (who hasn’t seen Finding Nemo?) but the lyrics didn’t mean what I thought they meant… They’re NOT about the ocean, they are about my dad!!! Well, kind of… I realized, through careful reflection and by slowing the words down, that the lyrics are talking about a person in heaven who is patiently waiting for their partner to join them. Somewhere beyond the seaShe’s there watching for me…It’s far beyond the starsIt’s near beyond the moon And the lyrics end with them meeting, “We’ll meet beyond the shore, we’ll kiss just like before,� and the song ends with: “and never again I’ll go sailing.� It’s like the big bang went off in my head about why all these thoughts of my dad, and his friends, and this arrangement, and what it all meant suddenly just MADE SENSE and I was able to start formulating a plan. Performance Suggestions: The improvisation solo in the middle should be free of any traditional “scat syllables� and should be more of a lament. Listen to singers like Aubrey Johnson improvise on ballads for inspiration. An idea for that improv section might be to have a male singer start the improv, then a female singer joins (as if together in heaven) then they sing letter F together (warning: will cause tears…). All solo sections do not have to be sung as written – soloists can take liberties with the melody as the spirit moves.

Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1371340 By Buddy Morrlow. By Jimmy Forrest, Lewis C. Simpkins, and Oscar Washington. Arranged by Paul Lichty. Blues,Jazz. 52 pages. Paul Lichty Music #955551. Published by Paul Lichty Music (A0.1371340). Thank you for considering this arrangement! The catchy melody and triplet feel will provide many opportunities for growth in your developing jazz ensemble.Listening to recordings of the tune is a must for emulating the style of the piece. Two good reference recordings are found on the following albums:Night Train - Jimmy ForrestGrey's Mood Al Grey (w/ Jimmy Forrest)There's also a terrific Youtube video of Jimmy Forrest performing it with the Count Basie Orchestra.This chart can be done with the following instrumentation: Altos 1 + 2, Tenor 1, Bari, Trumpets 1-2, Trombones 1-2, Piano, Bass, and Drums. If you'd like me to make parts for other instruments (flute, horn, etc.), please reach out to me.I couldn't think of too many blues heads that'd be able to teach two essential jazz concepts (the blues and slow swing feel) that would be as catchy and as fun as Night Train. Your kids will be playing this tune a lot in the band room!Whenever chord symbols are present, bass players can make up their own bass lines and guitarists/pianists their own voicings. This chart's slow tempo and familiar harmonic structure can provide young players with a bridge to developing their own improvised bass lines and comping skills.The plunger work in the beginning is fun, but not required (in case you don't trust middle school students with plungers :))If your rhythm section players need easier or harder parts, let me know and I'm happy to provide.Feel free to add additional soloists if desired. The trombone solo can be repeated for additional soloists.Enjoy Night Train!

Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.933737 Composed by Jeffrey Cottrell. 20th Century,Jazz. Score and parts. 64 pages. Jeffrey Cottrell #5955057. Published by Jeffrey Cottrell (A0.933737). A rocking funk chart for full jazz band. The inspiration for the title come from the story of a very tough duck who was king of the pond, until the Dark One arrived to challenge him for dominance. This tune describes that epic battle.This has been performed by high school and college jazz ensembles and was always a favorite with the students. Challenging in spots but overall not hard. Written piano solo at the start, with improv solos for others in the solo section later on.