Big Band and Combo Charts

Find out why thousands of student musicians across the globe are playing these great arrangements. I'm keeping the prices ridiculously low to allow my fellow (broke) musicians to afford them and still earn a few bucks to augment my CD collection. (Yeah, CDs. I'm old school...)

Included with most of them are bonuses like Jazz Scales, Jazz Scales, Jazz Licks and with the Big Band charts, a Groove Practice ensemble vamp, which can be used to help students lock in the proper feel for the chart, as a band warm-up, or as a vehicle for practicing improvisation.

Also available at TeachersPayTeachers.

Big Band

Full Instrumentation: 5 sax, 3 tpt, 3 trb, gtr, pno, bs, dr
Minimum Instrumentation: 3 sax, 2 tpt, 1 trb, pno, dr

Level 2

Level 3

Level 3.5

Big Band Bundles

  • Big Bundle: Get all of the above!
  • Small Bundle A
    The easiest arrangements, great for beginners or starting out:
    Lazy Dog Blues, Blue Goo Boogaloo, The Cat from Catalina, Pico de Gallo
  • Small Bundle B
    Arrangements with more advanced lines, rhythms, and chords:
    We Three Kings, The Funky Falcon, Tides of Syzygy, Tree Tune

Jazz Combo

Full Instrumentation: 2 trumpet, 2 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 trb, gtr, pno, bs, dr
Minimum Instrumentation: 1 trumpet, 1 alto/tenor sax, pno, dr

Level 2

Level 2.5

Combo Arrangement Bundle
 

Lazy Dog Blues

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

Learning to play and hear the blues is an essential first step to playing jazz. This laid-back blues provides an opportunity for your beginning jazz band to develop ensemble skills while learning the swing feel. Solos are over traditional blues changes, and may be played with just one Bb blues scale (included). This arrangement also includes a sheet of suggested jazz licks, transposed for all instruments.
Groove: medium swing
Difficulty level: 2 (middle/high school)
Price: $6.00, or *FREE*
            with purchase of another big band score.
          (It will automatically be included in your download link.)


to top 		lazydog range

Blue Goo Boogaloo

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A groove right out of the 60s Blue Note era, this boogaloo combines a relaxed feel, laid-back horn riffs and a modified blues chord progression for a taste of what was the original funky sound.
Groove: boogaloo
Difficulty level: 3 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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The Cat from Catalina

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

This mellow bossa nova is a great introduction to latin jazz. Because it features a straight-8th note feel, students work on the fundamentals of big band jazz playing without having to master swing-style eighth notes. Solo changes are simple and require only one scale (F major). This arrangement also includes a sheet of suggested jazz licks, transposed for all instruments.
Groove: bossa nova
Difficulty level: 3 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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Pico de Gallo

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A minor samba that highlights latin rhythms, fluid horn lines, characteristic piano riffs and percussion breaks. Two solo sections with simple changes allow soloists the freedom to stretch out.
Groove: samba
Difficulty level: 3 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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We Three Kings

Arr. by James Kass

This jazz waltz is a swinging arrangement of the traditional Christmas carol. It's not terribly challenging, so it can be pulled out and learned relatively quickly for an end-of-term holiday concert. Soloists play over one easy minor scale. This arrangement also includes a sheet of suggested jazz licks, transposed for all instruments.
Groove: jazz waltz
Difficulty level: 3 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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The Funky Falcon

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

Written for the Fremont Jr. High jazz band, this features funky syncopated lines and a groove that relies upon tight ensemble playing and a solid drummer.
Groove: funk
Difficulty level: 3.5 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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Tides of Syzygy

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A straight-8th note jazz feel with unusual harmonies, Tides of Syzygy has a more mysterious, mellow sound.
Groove: straight-8th jazz
Difficulty level: 3.5 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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Tree Tune

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A medium-tempo jazz waltz in F minor, this chart has easy solo changes and a catchy melody whose motifs are repeated throughout. This tune is somewhat reminiscent of Take 5 in feel and sound.
Groove: jazz waltz
Difficulty level: 3.5 (middle/high school)
Price: $7.50


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Arrangements Small Bundle A


The easiest jazz band arrangements, great for beginners or starting out the school year. Buy the following at one discounted price:
  • Lazy Dog Blues
  • Blue Goo Boogaloo
  • The Cat from Catalina
  • Pico de Gallo
Small Bundle "A" Price: $22.50


to top 		Jazz Scores Bundle A

Arrangements Small Bundle B


These jazz band arrangements are slightly more advanced and feature more complex lines, rhythms, and chord changes. Buy the following at one discounted price:
  • We Three Kings
  • The Funky Falcon
  • Tides of Syzygy
  • Tree Tune
Small Bundle "B" Price: $22.50


to top 		Jazz Scores Bundle B

Big Band Big Bundle


Buy all of the following big band arrangements at one discounted price:
  • Lazy Dog Blues
  • Blue Goo Boogaloo
  • The Cat from Catalina
  • Pico de Gallo
  • We Three Kings
  • The Funky Falcon
  • Tides of Syzygy
  • Tree Tune
Big Bundle Price: $45.00


to top 		Jazz Scores Big Bundle

Coyote

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A slow, funky groove that can allow the rhythm section to shine a bit. Solo changes are just two chords, easy enough for beginners and room to stretch out for experienced improvisors.
Groove: funk/rock
Difficulty level: 2.0 (middle/high school)
Price: $5.50


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Diamondback

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

A boogaloo groove from the 60s Blue Note era, this chart combines funky horn riffs and a modified blues chord progression, similar in feel and chord changes to the Lee Morgan jazz standard, Sidewinder. Includes jazz scales and written solos.
Groove: jazz boogaloo
Difficulty level: 2.0 (middle/high school)
Price: $5.50


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Rocco's Riff

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

Fun, up-tempo bebop tune with easy, F minor chord changes. Good solos can be played using only two major scales. Includes jazz scales and written solos.
Groove: up-tempo swing
Difficulty level: 2.5 (middle/high school)
Price: $5.50


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What Child Is This?

Comp./Arr. by James Kass

Jazz waltz version of the traditional Christmas carol, guaranteed to spice up your holiday concert. Easy G minor chord changes, hip solos can be played using only the F major scale. Includes jazz scales and written solos.
Groove: jazz waltz
Difficulty level: 2.0 (middle/high school)
Price: $5.50


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Jazz Combo Bundle


Buy all of the following combo arrangements at one discounted price:
  • Coyote
  • Diamondback
  • Rocco's Riff
  • What Child Is This? (trad. Christmas carol)
Combo Bundle Price: $15.00


to top 		Jazz Combo Bundle