Jazz Ambassadors - Perspectives

Perspectives - Resources for Jazz Education

Jazz Ambassadors
Perspectives: Resources for Jazz Education

Here you will find downloadable MP3 audio files, scores, and parts.
Download 2011 Release CD Booklet here

The Jazz Ambassadors of The United States Army Field Band proudly presents Perspectives. These recordings are free for big band jazz educators and their students, ranging in difficulty from middle school to professional level. Each recording is paired with printable parts, and written solos are included for ensembles with inexperienced improvisers.

Perspectives is the first step in a much larger ongoing project. While only a limited number of compositions are included here, we will add new charts every year. Please continue to check the website to see what new things we have added. As longtime supporters of jazz education in America, the members of the Jazz Ambassadors hope you find Perspectives to be an invaluable resource.

Grading Sytem

Easy (Grade Level 1-2)
Beginner compositions for middle school bands or young high school bands. Moderate brass ranges with a trumpet maximum to a written G above the staff and trombone maximum to a written D above the staff. Solo parts contain written solos as well as chord symbols. All rhythm section parts include chord symbols, voicings, and demonstrate the desired rhythmic feels and appropriate ensemble figures.

Moderate (Grade Level 3-4)
Mainstream compositions appropriate for the average to advanced high school ensemble or young college ensemble. Brass ranges move above the treble clef staff to written C-D for the lead trumpet and down to pedal Bb for the bass trombone. More sophisticated musical language. Chord symbols provided for improvised sections. Rhythm section parts contain some written melodic lines but contain mostly chord symbols and have the necessary rhythmic patterns and ensemble figures.

Difficult (Grade Level 5-6)
College ensembles or advanced high school groups. Extended ranges for brass, woodwind doubles for the saxophones including soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Dynamics and ensemble balance play a critical role. Extended improvisation sections featuring individual soloists.

1.		*Lili's Song* - Staff Sergeant Paul White
Beginner compositions for middle school bands or young high school bands. Moderate brass ranges with a trumpet maximum to a written G above the staff and trombone maximum to a written D above the staff. Solo parts contain written solos as well as chord symbols. All rhythm section parts include chord symbols, voicings, and demonstrate the desired rhythmic feels and appropriate ensemble figures. (Moderate)
2.		*Celestial Swingin' Blues* - Master Sergeant Vince Norman
Medium swing/shuffle blues in Bb based on the first four bars of the verse to "Swinging on a Star." Sax soli between solos in trumpet 2 and tenor sax 1. Top lead trumpet note is A above the staff (section unison). (Moderate)
3.		*Resolution* - Staff Sergeant Paul White
Pensive ballad featuring tenor sax 1 based on the harmonic content of Thad Jones' "Kids Are Pretty People." Saxes double on flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. Trumpet section doubles on flugelhorn. Double-time section towards the end of tenor solo leads to the climax of the work. Extreme range in trumpet 1 and rhythmically challenging parts in trombone section. (Difficult)
4.		*Pea Shooter* - Sergeant Major Jeffrey Lopez
A straight-ahead jazz chart featuring drums and tenor sax. No woodwind doubles. Top trumpet note is F# above high C. (Difficult)
5.		*Prime Sus-pect* - Sergeant Major (Ret.) Darryl Brenzel
A medium tempo swing tune with a bluesy/mysterioso vibe akin to "Killer Joe." Sax solo for either alto 1 or tenor 1 and for trumpet (optional guitar). Top trumpet note is G on top of the staff. (Moderate)
6.		*Chris* - Sergeant Major (Ret.) Gene Thorne
This floating 3/4 straight eighth ballad is a tenor feature. Blend and balance is very important throughout, particularly for the instruments playing in bars 51 through 57. Top trumpet note is D above high C. (Moderate)
7.		*Infernal Jamnation* - Sergeant Major Jeffrey Lopez
Jazz Shuffle with a 12/8 feel B section. Baritone sax solo and piano solo, no woodwind doubles. Top trumpet note is high C. (Moderate)

(Click to download scores and parts) (Click to play audio)

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