StepWise Publications: Materials for Band & Orchestra
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Jazz Ensemble Music

Your students and audiences will LOVE these big band arrangements of the 6 Improv Pathways head charts. Each one starts with a BANG, gives important lines to EVERY instrument, and finishes BIG. Plus, each chart correlates with the chords learned in the jazz improvisation method, so that students can be well-prepared to play amazing improvised solos. Each chart comes with a full-length recording (which includes exciting, but playable solos your students can transcribe), and a motivating play-along track of the solo section. Because each piece is downloaded as a PDF with 2 MP3 files, you can send the parts out digitally for distance learning or print them out for face-to-face instruction.
When planning for your next concert or festival, you have plenty of mix-and-match options for complete festival sets as suggested below. There are 2 swing charts, 2 ballads, and 2 "other" charts (rock & latin). Have a listen, then purchase and download by clicking on an image below or visiting our STORE.

One For The Road

One for the Road Jazz Band Music
Rock: Hard hitting from start to finish, the rhythm section is constantly featured in one-measure trade-offs with the horns. The shout chorus begins with a trombone soli and, after adding everyone else, climaxes with a drum solo that can be expanded past the written 4-measures. The open solo section uses only the Bb7 chord.

Solista Suave

Solista Suave Jazz Band Music
Ballad [Bossa Nova]: This tasty, easy-going latin ballad is titled "Smooth Soloist". It begins with a trumpet solo and horn trio, and later features 4 stop-time solos for bass and/or drum set, leading into a moment of pure, brassy power! The open solo section uses only the Bb7 and Eb7 chords. It works as a medium-tempo ballad, although it's full of latin flavor!

Backseat Driver Blues

Backseat Driver Blues Jazz Band Music
Swing: This medium-tempo swing chart features a riff-based melody over the classic 12-bar blues. The piano and rhythm section have plenty of moments, while the trombone section alternates with the rest of the band. A sax soli leads into the solo section, which uses the Bb7, Eb7, and F7 chords. The drummer kicks the band into a final out-chorus, and everybody survives the ride!

It's a Figure of Speech

It's a Figure of Speech Jazz Band Music
Swing: The up-tempo feel kicks off with a unison melody which then separates into tasty back-and-forth sax and brass riffs. The additive shout chorus builds into a classic swing-era climax, complete with trombone glisses and big trumpet punches! The open solo section uses only the Bb7 chord.

Late Night Lemonade

Late Night Lemonade Jazz Band Music
Ballad [Swing]: The super laid-back feel of this triplet-swing ballad starts with tenor and/or alto saxophone solos, and then features trombone section and sax section solis, but throughout the piece every chorus ends BIG! The solo section uses the Bb7 and Eb7 chords, and is punctuated by heavy, bluesy background figures.

Blue Salsa

Blue Salsa Jazz Band Music
Latin/Salsa: Fast and furious, this 12-bar blues kicks off with tasty latin horn riffs, then lets your piano player lead the way into an infectious latin groove! A unison trio plays the first chorus, followed by good times with the full band. The open solo section uses the Bb7, Eb7, and F7 chords, and the drummer trades 2's with the band before the final fiesta...er, chorus.

FREE Jazz Articulation and Style Exercises

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Use this step-by-step series of short jazz exercises to teach your jazz ensemble how to play with perfect swing style. The rules discussed and practiced include:
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A. Long "DAH" Notes
B. 8th Note "DAHS"
C. "DOT" Notes
D. "DAH-DOT" Combinations
E. "DOO" Notes
F. "DOO-WAH" Notes
G. Extra Accents
​H. Slurs Between 8th Notes

​Download these 2-page exercises as PDF and MP3 files for FREE by right-clicking the links below.
Jazz Style and Articulation - All Parts.pdf
File Size: 567 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Jazz Style and Articulation - Play-Along Tracks.zip
File Size: 33636 kb
File Type: zip
Download File

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  • Music Teachers
    • Band Directors >
      • Band Flashcard Set
    • String Teachers >
      • Orchestra Flashcard Set
    • Jazz >
      • Jazz Music
      • Improv Pathways
      • 9 Pathways to Improvisation
      • Reviews - Improv Pathways
    • Flashcards >
      • Music Flashcard Features >
        • Fingerings
        • Shapes
        • Numbers
    • How-To Videos
    • Improvisation for Strings
    • Best Inexpensive Band Instruments
    • Blog
  • Students
    • Alto/Bari Saxophone
    • Baritone/Euphonium
    • Bass
    • Bassoon
    • Cello
    • Clarinet
    • Flute
    • French Horn
    • Mallet/Xylophone
    • Oboe
    • Piano
    • Tenor Saxophone
    • Trombone
    • Trumpet
    • Tuba
    • Viola
    • Violin
  • NinGenius Music
  • Free Stuff
    • Free Fingering Charts
    • Free Flashcards
    • Free Music Worksheets
    • Free Music Posters
    • Free Sheet Music
    • Free Music Graphics
    • Free Warm-Up Materials
  • Store