Want to help your beginning jazz band develop strong rhythmic reading skills and also teach them important lingo? Musicians sometimes refer to playing in a rest as “falling in a hole,” and Don’t Fall In! offers plenty of “holes” (rests) for students to practice avoiding. This chart also features clearly-written rhythm section parts, reasonable ranges for the woodwinds and brass, and an accessible solo section for beginning improvisers. Your students will fall in love with Don’t Fall In!

The boogaloo is a toe-tapping genre that combines influences from rhythm and blues, soul, and Latin jazz – and now your beginning jazz band can experience this infectious dance groove for themselves! “Boogaloo For You!” a great chart to involve extra percussionists (with five optional auxiliary parts included), and the solo section is accessible enough to feature all beginning improvisers. This is the perfect closer to bring the house down at your next concert!

Need an easy introduction to the swing style for your beginning jazz band? Look no further than “Lock It In The Pocket!” Horns play slurred eight note lines and staccato quarter notes. Clearly written rhythm section parts are perfect for bass and drum set players who are just starting. The solo section allows students to take very short solos, and only requires a few pitches (supplied right on their part!) – perfect for young jazzers! Playable with reduced or expanded instrumentation and optional auxiliary percussion, “Lock It In The Pocket” will be a hit at your first concert.

This fresh and contemporary-sounding straight-eighth chart will provide the perfect contrast for your next jazz band concert! Rhythm section parts are notated with great detail, and there are plenty of suggestions for improvising over the very accessible solo section. Your young jazz band will enjoy performing music with harmonic sophistication usually found only in more difficult literature. An excellent addition to the popular Barnhouse Jazz Starters series!

You can’t miss with “Swing We Now of Christmas!” Audience members will be tapping their toes to a traditional Christmas carol at your holiday jazz ensemble performance. Written at the grade 1 level, this chart is within the grasp of your youngest jazzers, and as part of the “Jazz Starters” series includes parts for non-traditional jazz instruments. The four-measure solo section over easy changes allows you to feature a number of soloists, presenting opportunities for learning improv. This chart even includes a sleigh bell part to help your young jazzers ring in the holiday season!

"Hora Decubitus (Bedtime)" by Charles Mingus (also known as: "E's Flat Ah's Flat Too"), arranged specifically for developing jazz band! Parts for all instruments (including flute, F horn, bass clarinet, baritone T.C., vibraphone, and congas), suggested pitches for improvising, and clearly-notated rhythm section parts (including chord diagrams for guitar, suggested drum fills, bass part that stays in half position throughout, and piano part with optional left hand). The tempo is flexible, from medium swing up to as fast as the Mingus original!

“Rockin’ Rafael” is an energetic and fun rock chart that will get your beginning jazz band grooving in no time! With a catchy melody, clear rhythm section parts, and flexible Jazz Starters! scoring – including parts for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and F horn – this chart is ideal for young ensembles. The accessible solo section features simple chord changes with suggested notes and rhythms, making it a perfect introduction to improvisation. A great way to build confidence and excitement, “Rockin’ Rafael” will have your students looking forward to every rehearsal!

Check out this great flexible combo chart that works really well for beginning players in your ensemble. With its Latin groove and simple swing, this tune is a great introduction piece for new members.

This flexible combo version of a big band piece is a great choice for mixing up styles at your next concert. It has a modern hip-hop sound that your students and audience will love, and the writing lends itself to the needs of young ensembles. Great ensemble writing and a solo section will make this an excellent opportunity for your students. Hop on to the stage with this chart! 

If you are looking to switch things up in your next program, this chart is a great choice. It has a modern hip-hop sound that your students and audience will love. Great ensemble writing and a solo section will make this an excellent opportunity for your students. Hop on to the stage with this chart!

This swing chart offers a unique New Orleans second line swing groove that your students should learn and will love! This chart is very approachable and will have your students asking for more like it. An alto saxophone solo can be improvised or played as written. Enjoy this fun sound!

“Oh Chanukah” brings a joyful swing to your holiday concert with this fun and accessible arrangement for beginning jazz band! Featuring the traditional melody with a jazzy twist, this chart includes flexible Jazz Starters! scoring – covering flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and horn – and fully-notated rhythm section parts to support young players. The easy solo section offers simple changes with suggested notes and rhythms, making it a great introduction to improvisation. A perfect choice for December performances, “Oh Chanukah” blends holiday spirit with jazz style to delight audiences and players alike!

Two-Lip Blues is a D-minor blues chart featuring all sections in the band (including the rhythm section!), with manageable ranges for the brass. All rhythm section parts are notated completely, including the fills. The catchy a cappella section offers a change of pace for featuring the brass and saxophones, and the solo section includes suggestions for helping your developing improvisers. A fun and accessible way to teach improvisation!

Take your jazz band on a trip to the Caribbean with this authentic calypso! Students will love the catchy melody, and directors will appreciate the plentiful auxiliary percussion, clear rhythm section parts, thorough articulation, and accessible solo section. Playable with reduced instrumentation, “Calypso Angelical” is the perfect closer for your next festival or concert.

Build a stronger understanding of Latin jazz with an exciting and authentic cha-cha your students will love! “Pantalones Malos” features plenty of auxiliary percussion, an accessible solo section, clear articulations, and interesting parts for all instruments. It’s the perfect selection to close your next concert or festival performance!

Built around a relaxed shuffle swing with a contemporary rock edge, this Grade 2 jazz chart delivers a cool groove that developing players will enjoy. Accessible sixteenth‑note figures and a friendly solo section support rhythmic growth and improvisation confidence, while expanded optional parts for flute, horn, and more add flexibility for directors. A practical choice for strengthening groove, style awareness, and ensemble cohesion.

A relaxed shuffle groove with a half‑time hip‑hop feel makes this easy jazz band chart an effective style‑teaching tool. Swung sixteenth notes and extensive rhythmic unison writing help young players internalize feel and articulation quickly. Optional parts for expanded instrumentation add flexibility for directors. A dependable choice for keeping rehearsal efficient and confidence high for developing jazz groups.

Inspired by the groundbreaking musical stylings of “Mambo King” Tito Puente, “Nueva Vida” (New Life) by Steve Shanley is the perfect Latin jazz chart to spice up your next concert! All sections of the band are featured, the improvised solos can be played with only a few pitches, and there are extra auxiliary parts for your percussionists. The manageable tempo and clearly-notated rhythm section parts make this a great chart for introducing your students to the mambo style. Great fun, and a great teaching piece as well!

The “reggaeton” genre is one of the most popular musical styles in the world, and now you can finally play it with your jazz band! Steve Shanley’s “Reggaeton” utilizes the infectious groove in a jazz chart for developing musicians. You’ll love the accessible rhythm section parts and easy solo section, and your young jazzers will love the feel and groove of this fun chart. A perfect closer for your next concert or festival!

“Scenic City” is a soulful, slow shuffle with a reflective vibe that shines a spotlight on your jazz band’s pianist. This expressive chart features an open solo section for any instrument and builds to a standout finale – a showstopping piano cadenza that’s fully written out or can be improvised. With its laid-back groove and emotional depth, “Scenic City” offers a perfect change of pace in any concert or festival program, leaving both audiences and performers with a lasting impression.

“Testifyin’” is a soulful gospel rock ballad that brings heartfelt emotion and dynamic contrast to your jazz band’s performance. Designed to feature any soloist, the open solo section includes accessible chord changes and suggested pitches, making it ideal for developing improvisers. Clearly notated rhythm section parts provide solid support throughout. A powerful a cappella ensemble moment builds to an emotional peak before the soloist returns for a reflective, expressive close. “Testifyin’” is a moving and memorable addition to any concert or festival program.

Perfect for a contrasting selection for concert or festival use, Steve Shanley’s arrangement of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is written in the slow swing style of the Count Basie Orchestra. The subdued opening statement can feature your trombone or saxophone section. There are solos for trumpet, trombone, and tenor saxophone (written solos provided), and an exciting shout section will bring down the house. With tasty rhythm section contribution throughout, this is sure to be an audience and band favorite!

Jazz ensemble (big band) arrangement of Roy Hargrove's "Strasbourg / St. Denis." No WW doubling. Lead trumpet to C6. All rhythm section parts fully notated. Chord changes for soloing in all parts. Includes vibraphone part.

If Beethoven had visited Cuba, his Seventh Symphony might have sounded like this! High‑energy Latin grooves collide with familiar classical material in this jazz band chart built around thematic material from Beethoven's Seventh. Driving rhythms and colorful ensemble writing keep momentum high, and the solo section sits comfortably for developing improvisers. The playful stylistic mashup feels fresh. A smart choice for high school groups looking to stretch style awareness and improvisation skills while keeping rehearsals fun and engaging.

Jazz ensemble (big band) arrangement of the Kenny Garrett classic from the 1997 "Songbook" album. Features alto 1 throughout. All rhythm section parts fully notated. Contact me for optional WW doubles.