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- Solos
From the Beantown Swing Orchestra 2011 holiday album A Beantown Christmas, what starts as a traditional-sounding orchestral jazz arrangement of the Christmas classic warps into a Duke Ellington style R&B swinger. Reflective and introspective moments balance against soulful bluesy cries in this powerhouse arrangement that has a little something for everyone.Instrumentation Big Band Style Swing Era Level 4 Vocals Male TEMPO 
= 65Trumpet
Range
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An original song off the 2011 Beantown Swing Orchestra album A Beantown Christmas, Christmas Memories is designed to sound as if Glenn Miller had performed this in 1938, complete with the classic clarinet-led reed section. To add to this effect, the song lyrics are about holiday nostalgia, connecting the past with the present.Instrumentation Big Band Style Swing Era Level 2 Vocals Female TEMPO = 70Trumpet
Range
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Chorale #2 is a short original piece written for brass quartet in the spirit of the holiday season. At once a gentle fanfare, a lament on the darkness of society, and a celebration of the best humankind has to offer, Chorale #2 churns and crawls its way to a triumphant final chord.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical Level 3 TEMPO = 80Trumpet
Range
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Jingle Bells is one of the most recognizable holiday classics of all time, so I felt an obligation to do something different with this arrangement. The first two bars are traditional and "classical" before unexpectedly launching into a double time swing feel featuring the 2nd trumpet and 4-feel bass lines. It then abruptly settles into a normal time straight feel, almost in a rock style, with the melody exactly where you expect it but underlying functional harmony built on top of a 12-tone chord progression. In other words, this one sounds cool.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical, Modern Jazz Level 4 TEMPO = 90Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Ruined is a funky chamber jazz tune with feature space for guitar and trumpet. It starts with saxes only with no rhythm section, adding in trombones, then trumpets, before building into a guitar solo. The trumpet solo gets some space over trombone chorale before the rhythm section jumps back in, and it ends with a dismantling of each section until nothing is left but the five saxes. Each horn player keeping good time is critical for this composition, but the reward is a lush and exciting groove-based piece.Instrumentation Big Band Style Modern Jazz Level 4 TEMPO 
= 90Trumpet
Range
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Ilkimcim Için Bir Şarkı is an original song I wrote for my wonderful girlfriend's birthday and is the first in a series of small chamber music compositions that make up a larger musical and visual project. This jazz ballad has a melody that is almost entirely diatonic and in a major key, but with underlying harmony that is juxtaposed with lots of reharmonizations and darker minor chords. It's a passionate piece with emotional complexity, but it never doubts itself and ultimately settles on a balanced major tonic chord in the end.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Modern Jazz Level 1 TEMPO = 90Trumpet
Range
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This classic Christmas carol has been tastefully arranged with some traditional harmony and some modernized harmony. This is an easy but sophisticated arrangement designed for a flip book and outdoor performing.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical Level 2 TEMPO = 100Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
The Intimacy of the Blues is notable not just for it's striking melody--this was one of the very last compositions ever written by longtime Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn. This medium tempo Eb blues is good for a band of any skill level, and a great historical addition to your book.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 1 TEMPO = 110Trumpet
Range
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An original song off the 2011 Beantown Swing Orchestra album A Beantown Christmas, I See Christmas is a love letter in a holiday setting with full Nelson Riddle-inspired ensemble work. The first vocal intro is in duet with piano, and after that it swings hard all the way to the end!Instrumentation Big Band Style Pop Jazz Level 4 Vocals Male TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen is a 500 year old holiday standard that has undoubtedly been recorded hundreds of times, and every holiday brass book needs a copy. This tasteful version for brass quartet features traditional harmony that slowly develops into something a little more modern and unique without ever becoming unrecognizable, ending with a conventional Picardy third.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical Level 1 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Coming out the same year as Prohibition, Avalon is one of the earliest jazz standards of the 20th century. Here, it's slowed down to a super slick beginner's dancing tempo featuring trombone on a staccato melody with a sassy background trio of cup mute trumpet, alto and bari sax almost taking over as a new melody over the bone.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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Good Christian Men, Rejoice is a a very old and traditional Christmas tune that I decided to give a total harmonic makeover to. Now in a tropical 6/8 groove with brisk chromatic harmony, GCMR is a killer chart with a great musical payoff.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Modern Jazz Level 5 TEMPO 
= 120Trumpet
Range
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Burgundy, Pine, and Goldenrod is a fanfare-ish chorale with 19th and 20th century functional harmony that features each of the four players in the quartet. With each melody switch-off comes a new key and a new accompanying orchestration, providing a range of colors across its short run.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical Level 4 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This 19th century Christmas standard belongs in every brass quartet book, and this new arrangement puts it right on the edge of traditional and modern. Featuring a solo tuba up front and bringing the other instruments in with heavy functional reharmonization, the piece beautifully makes its way to a melancholy but resolved conclusion.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical, Modern Jazz Level 1 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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The Holly and the Ivy is presented here in a contemporary arrangement that puts a new spin on an old classic. The first half is in an aggressive fanfare style with rapid fire harmonized lines and quick tonal shifts. The second half goes to a half time feel with three part harmony over a fusion jazz style tuba line. All of this ends with a punchy coda and a bold final chord. Basically, this one is super fun to play!Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical, Modern Jazz Level 4 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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Angels We Have Heard on High is a Christmas standard so old that we don't know who wrote it or when it was written. A few tasteful and understated 20th century reharmonizations dot this simple and classic traditional chorale, a must-have in every holiday brass quartet book.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Classical Level 1 TEMPO = 120Trumpet
Range
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The lead trumpet part here is tough for a 2 but overall this is an easy grooving arrangement that is one of the few swing era vocal charts to feature the singer fully throughout the form. Peggy Lee's cool performance on this recording brought the tune to a new height, with a swinging even-tempered arrangement to contrast and support her. The lead trumpet part here is almost a 3, but otherwise this is a solid 2. Vocal range is Bb3 to A4/C5.Instrumentation Big Band Style Swing Era Level 2 Vocals Female TEMPO = 121Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
A huge fanfare-ish intro announces this amazing Tiny Kahn tune, and Flying the Coop is quickly off to the races. Unison sax and brass lines at a breakneck tempo fill the head, while the meat of the arrangement features big bebop statements, sax solos, and an old-fashioned trombone chase (an early teaming of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding).Instrumentation Big Band Style Bebop Level 5 TEMPO = 123Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
An original song off the 2011 Beantown Swing Orchestra album A Beantown Christmas, "Christmas Land" is a light-hearted, swinging tune about the magical world of fun and happiness where all things Christmas are created. There are several solo spaces for trumpet and some great swinging ensemble parts reminiscent of Nelson Riddle's work for Frank Sinatra.Instrumentation Big Band Style Pop Jazz Level 4 Vocals Female TEMPO = 124Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This alto feature is a perfect tempo for new dancers and has some very cool background lines from the trio of trumpet, trombone, and bari sax. Let your alto play out a la Johnny Hodges and have your trio dig in with some conviction and this chart will swing hard.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 125Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Dysthymia, Maybe is an easy walkin' tune featuring a simplified bluesy unison riff for the melody and easy solo changes in F. This is an easy head tune that gives your horns a nice break while keeping dancers on the floor.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 125Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Skunk Hollow Blues is a very laid back colorful blues and a fantastic rare gem of the swing era. The intro and head features plunger trumpet on one line, bari and trombone on another, and the alto on a third melody, a rare true 3-part counterpoint! Riffs and triadic voicings back up a couple of solos, leading to an ending chorus that is half based on the head and half new material full of creeping chromatic motion full of dynamics.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 125Trumpet
Range
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With modern harmony that spins around the tonic and a laser focused fanfare ending, this modernized update to Good King Wenceslas is a refreshing take on the classic. This is on the harder side of level 4 - the tuba part is a bit difficult and there are quick time signature changes that appear difficult but logically are very simple once all the players have gotten used to it.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Modern Jazz Level 4 TEMPO = 130Trumpet
Range
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O Tannenbaum, also known as O Christmas Tree, is typically played in a slower 3/4 time. Here, it's in a swinging 4/4 groove with textures that jump in and out of solo, concerted and counterpoint with harmony ranging from traditional to a more aggressive Duke Ellington style.Instrumentation Brass Quartet Style Bebop Level 3 TEMPO = 130Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This swingin' Bill Finegan arrangement of a traditional Russian folk shanty has some great ensemble work, several peaks, and a rare jazz canon for the brass! Some simple plunger work helps ground it in the swing era, and a huge finale with harmony way ahead of it's time makes Song of the Volga Boatman a killer addition to any big band book.Instrumentation Big Band Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 135Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This Edwin Finckel rarity swings hard and doesn't shy away from its bebop influences. Straddling the line between the two eras of jazz, Calling Doctor Gillespie features some infectious melodies and singable shout choruses. A couple of solos in the middle round this out.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 136Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This Edwin Finckel rarity swings hard and doesn't shy away from its bebop influences. Straddling the line between the two eras of jazz, Calling Doctor Gillespie features some infectious melodies and singable shout choruses. High Gs for lead trumpet are all optional - without them the highest note is a Bb above the staff. A couple of solos in the middle round this out.Instrumentation Big Band Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 136Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This Cootie Williams number is a great easy piece that still authentically swings hard. The original recording of Do Some War Work, Baby has a vocal chorus in the middle, but this transcription replaces it with a solo chorus for bari sax and alters the ending to make it fully instrumental. The vocal version can be found here.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 1 TEMPO = 140Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
This Cootie Williams number is a great easy piece that still authentically swings hard. Do Some War Work, Baby has a vocal chorus in the middle, but an instrumental adaptation is available here, replacing the vocals with a solo chorus for bari sax and altering the ending.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 1 Vocals Male TEMPO = 140Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Hobbledehoy is a long outdated word meaning a clumsy or awkward youth. This tune captures that spirit while still swinging and providing a perfect foundation for dancers. The melody is mostly in unison with some riffs and 3-part background lines behind the solos. This one is a hit that your band will love!Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 140Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Junior Hop is a nice walkin' alto feature with some simple but melodic three-part backgrounds. The trio takes over for a bit on a catchy new melody built on strong triads. The trombone part is a little on the high side for a Level 2 (up to high A).Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 140Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Hot Springs is a catchy mid-tempo Gene Ammons tune that shows jazz in 1949 in flux, transitioning from swing to bebop. The solo order and instrumentation has been slightly altered to fit with the Hodges horn lineup.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Bebop Level 3 TEMPO = 144Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Gene Ammons preaches on in Brother Jug's Sermon, a soulfully grooving dance tune that now fully features bari sax. The horn backgrounds are simple enough--a couple of horn turns and a few suggested high notes in the bari make this an easy level 2. Swing music has never been so hip!Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Bebop, Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 145Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
The unassumingly-titled "That's Rhythm" is a colorful tune that straddles the line between the swing era and the bebop era. Written by Ellington sideman Rex Stewart for his own shorter-lived 4-horn band, "Rhythm" features a punchy and memorable head and lots of solo space.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 148Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Margie is a classic early jazz standard that was popular during the hot jazz and swing eras and is due for a comeback! This alto feature is built up like a Sy Oliver/Jimmie Lunceford arrangement, with a simple melody part and a bouncy and angular 3-part horn counterpart.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 4 TEMPO = 150Trumpet
Range
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From the 2011 Beantown Swing Orchestra album A Beantown Christmas, "Dancing in the Snow" is a cool-swinging original tune that features any combination of male or female singers. Ensemble work ranges from a tight horn quartet to a full-band roaring shout chorus and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!Instrumentation Big Band Style Pop Jazz Level 3 Vocals Male & Female TEMPO = 150Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Good Queen Bess is a standout riff tune from the Hodges/Ellington book, complete with a lighthearted, catchy melody, and player-unique background voicings. The solo changes are fairly standard but colorful and make for a great jam vehicle for your band.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 150Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Emerald is a Rocco and the Stompers original that primarily features the alto sax with triad counterpoint a la Johnny Hodges and Duke Ellington. This is a fun an interesting chart considering how relatively easy it is, and it's always a hit with dancers!Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 2 TEMPO = 150Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Melanchology is a moody medium tempo piece that is designed to be sophisticated but accessible. The opening march-like texture is supported by colorful nonfunctional harmony, leading all the way to a diminishing spacey ending. It's an easy level 3 with solo space for your best trumpet soloist and a little space for guitar and piano.Instrumentation Big Band Style Modern Jazz Level 3 TEMPO = 150Trumpet
Range
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- Solos
Back Room Romp is basically a simple blues in Ab, but there is a twist: the head is a series of building independent lines, thus a "Contrapuntal Stomp." Every horn player gets a solo chorus. The lead trumpet part is a bit of a blow, but this was written for longtime Ellington sideman, trumpeter Rex Stewart, who had the chops to play all day.Instrumentation Ellington 7-Piece Style Swing Era Level 3 TEMPO = 154Trumpet
Range
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