Spartiti blues

W.C. Handy's 'St. Louis Blues' had already entered the pantheon of classic blues melodies when Gil Evans wrote this arrangement in 1958. The album that it appeared on, 'New Bottle, Old Wine,' was a co...

With its hip chord changes and riffy melody, this tune became an instant jazz standard. Ellington's 1933 chart starts out sedately, but quickly shifts gears to swinging figures and modern voicings. Ot...

Arranged by Frank Foster and recorded by Diane Schuur with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1987, Deedles' Blues features an infectious melody with some appropriately sultry lyrics by Los Angeles-based vo...

This grooving shuffle starts with a bang and keeps on building! Tenor Saxes and Trombone 1 and 2 present the catchy melody with the rest of the band joining in. The half time feel of the bridge is a g...

Drummer Joe LaBarbera pays homage to Art Blakey in this wonderful number arranged by brother John. Trumpet, tenor and trombone can be featured in front of the band throughout, and the drummer has lots...

Dedicated to the Lincoln Middle School Jazz Band in Pullman WA, this easy level chart has a hard-swinging, shuffle blues feel. It features a riff style melody, sax soli, and an ensemble statement that...

Commissioned by friends and parents of the Gower Middle School band program in Burr Ridge, IL, this solid blues chart contains great ensemble writing that keeps everyone involved. While the open solo...

Just as you'd expect to find at a late night diner, this chart serves up a slow, greasy blues -- according to Doug Beach, the greasier, the better! All is built around a down-home, 12/8 feel with a st...

This straight-ahead shuffle will be a big hit with groups at many levels. For better bands, solid ensemble writing and blues-based changes make it a great solo vehicle. For younger players, it's a gre...

As recorded by the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band on the album Road Time (RCA), this swingin' blues shuffle for experienced players has it all -- strong ensemble choruses, sax and brass sectio...

This straight ahead shuffle in the tradition of Duke Ellington's train songs will be a welcome addition to advancing big band literature, and is also appropriate for professional bands as well. Berger...