Music for Jazz Ensemble 2023-24 - Excelcia Music Publishing

Jazz Ensemble Music

Welcome Jazz Ensemble Directors

Clickable Link Guide

Cover Image - ScoreVideo of the piece

Composition Title - More information about the piece

Composer Name - Composer Insight Video

Flip through the pages and hover over each piece with your mouse to click on links. Listen (and watch) the scores and recordings of each new piece by clicking on its cover image. Click the composition title for more details about the piece or click the composer’s name to view the Composer Insight video.. Click the “Fullscreen” button in the lower right corner for the best viewing experience.

Contents

Composers of New Jazz Ensemble Music . . . . . 3

Grades 1-1½ Jazz Ensemble Music . . . . . . . . . 4

Grades 2-3 Jazz Ensemble Music . . . . . . . . . 5

Grades 3-4 & up Jazz Ensemble Music . . . . . . 6

Composers of New Jazz Ensemble Music

Open to all composers. excelciamusic.com/excelcia-music-submission

Submissions by members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Steve Parsons

Anthony Susi

Kris Berg Peter Blair

Steve Wiest Terry White

Colin M. Plank

David Samuel

Peter Sciaino

Carl Strommen

Michele Fernández

Larry Clark

Jazz Odyssey Series

• Playable with a core instrumentation of Alto Sax 1 & 2, Tenor Sax 1, B≤ Trumpet 1 & 2, Trombone 1, Piano, Bass (cued in Piano) Drums

• Includes parts for a full ensemble (5/4/4/4)

Jericho Carl Strommen

Instantly recognizable, this traditional spiritual receives the full Carl Strommen treatment and showcases the entire band. The familiar, bluesy melody is carefully crafted to be perfect for younger jazz groups. (3:05)

Agave

Larry Clark

A high energy Latin-rock tune is always fun and Agave fills that slot perfectly. Plenty of ensemble rhythms will help this chart come together with a minimum amount of rehearsal time and your band will have a great time with the energetic groove. (2:46)

• Optional parts included for Flute, B≤ Clarinet, Horn in F, Tuba

• Limited ranges in the winds

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

Go With the Flow

Larry Clark

As the title implies, this is a laid back swing chart that features lots of tutti rhythms in the winds to help teach this important Jazz style. There is a cool harmonic shift in the B section of the chart that adds a colorful flair. This is a very easy chart that sounds big and full, even with reduced instrumentation (3:47)

PRACTICE TRACKS

Free play-along tracks to practice improvisation, featuring rhythm section accompaniment over the solo section changes.

Jazz Exploration Series Grade 1 1/2

• Playable with a core instrumentation of Alto Sax 1 & 2, Tenor Sax 1, B≤ Trumpet 1 & 2, Trombone 1, Piano, Bass (cued in Piano) Drums

• Includes parts for a full ensemble (5/4/4/4)

We Need to Talk

#3

in the Smart Phone Series

Steve Wiest

Known for his works for advanced bands, composer Steve Wiest turns his creative talents to an easier level for the third chart in his Smart Phone Series. We Need to Talk defines tight harmonic scoring in a Funk tune and this one will reach out and grab you. Great horn licks abound and the rhythm section will have a blast with this funky composition. (3:08)

EJE2301

The Vibe

Peter Sciaino

The distinctive sound of a minor triad with a major seventh provides the foundation for this cool sounding new piece from Peter Sciaino that recalls the great TV theme songs from police and spy shows. You will love the “vibe” of this great easy chart. (2:57)

EJE2303

• Optional parts included for Flute, B≤ Clarinet, Horn in F, Tuba

• Limited ranges in the winds

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

Coventry Carol

Traditional

Arranged by Anthony Susi

Set as a Jazz waltz, this fresh look at the traditional Coventry Carol will be a welcome addition to your holiday performance. Moving seamlessly between major and minor, this arrangement captures the beauty and spirit of the original carol. (2:30)

EJE2302

Soft and Easy

Terry White

Soft and Easy is the perfect title for this laid back Swing-ballad. This is a wonderful way to introduce young musicians to this iconic Basie style. Once your band can play an accent on the and of one and “fat” (not rushed!!) quarter notes on beats three and four they will be well on their way to sounding great playing music in this style. (2:36)

Jazz Horizon Series

• Optional Tenor Sax 2, B≤ Trumpet 4, Trombone 4 & Guitar

• Includes parts for a full ensemble (5/4/4/4)

• Optional parts include Flute, B≤ Clarinet, Horn in F, Tuba

Sleighin’ It

Jingle Bells Goes Motown

Traditional Arranged by Steve Parsons

• Range is expanded, but still carefully considered

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

Ariana

Peter Blair

The talented arranger Steve Parsons has paired an original melody with a funky Motown version of Jingle Bells to create the piece he calls Sleighin’ It This is definitely a fresh take on this carol and your band will have a terrific time with the Motown groove and all the clever ways Steve has incorporated the simple Jingle Bells melody. (4:00) HJE2301

Modal Citizen

Peter Sciaino

Recalling the modal tunes of Herbie Hancock like Maiden Voyage, Modal Citizen starts with a trio of Alto Sax, Trumpet and Guitar presenting the first statement of the melody. As the rest of the band is layered in the harmony expands in the B section. There is a written solo for Alto Sax and Trumpet over the easy modal changes. (5:13) HJE2303

Jazz Voyage Series

• High school ensembles

• Full instrumentation (5/4/4/4)

• More independent rhythm section parts

It’s on the House

Steve Parsons

• Longer solo sections

This exquisite ballad features the whole ensemble. Beautiful harmony and flowing melodic lines make this a perfect “down” tune for a concert or festival. There is a short, written solo for Alto Sax that is accompanied by belltone cascades in the brass. (2:58)

Get Lost

Colin M. Plank

We are pleased to welcome new composer Colin M. Plank to the Excelcia catalog! This is an exciting swing chart that clocks in at 144. Excellent motivic development and the cool changes in D minor combine to make this a winner! (2:19)

Grade 3

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

Your rhythm section will shine in this new Funk chart. There is a fun breakdown section after the solos where the sections of the band are layered in a clever way to create a giant build to the shout chorus. Get down and get funky! (3:28)

Gumbo Time

Kris Berg

Commissioned by JEN (the Jazz Education Network) Kris has done a fantastic job of capturing the feel and flavor of the 2nd-line groove. While the feel is traditional New Orleans, the harmony and melodic structure are fresh and contemporary. (4:02) VJE2303

Goin’ Home

Antonín Dvorák

Arranged by David Samuel

David Samuel has created a jewel with this new jazz arrangment of Dvorák’s theme Going Home Beautiful harmony accompanies the lyrical melody as the texture melts from transparent to full and lush. (3:43)

Sun Shower

Kris Berg

Kris Berg uses his unique harmonic approach to the fullest in this new Bossa Nova. Each new phrase has some twists and turns that help make this a very interesting chart. Nothing “outside” but fresh and modern sounding. (3:00)

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Jazz Voyage Series

• High school ensembles

• Full instrumentation (5/4/4/4)

• More independent rhythm section parts

Fascinating Rhythm

George Gershwin

Arranged by Peter Blair

• Longer solo sections

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

You can’t go wrong with George Gershwin! This new take on the standard tune is filled with dynamic contrasts and engaging harmony. Wonderful interweaving lines work together to showcase this iconic melody. (3:38)

A Bloat of Hippopotami

#2 in the Collective Noun Series

Steve Wiest

Leave it to the creative mind of composer Steve Wiest to come up with a crazy title and chart to match! This is definitely not your grandmother’s swing tune. It is a great choice if you are looking for something outside the box that has fun parts for everybody. (5:06)

Jazzville

Peter Blair

A bit of a throwback, this swing chart highlights all the great aspects of the bands from the ‘40s and ‘50s while still sounding fresh. The wailing Sax lines and punchy brass along with a solid swing groove are sure to make this a crowd pleaser. (3:08)

Jazz Zenith Series Grades 4 & up

• Advanced high school ensembles

• More freedom in overall concept

• More advanced harmonic structure

• Independent playing across sections

• Carefully notated rhythm section parts

Bons Sohnos, Maestro

Sweet Dreams, Maestro

Michele Fernández

This dreamy Brazilian samba sets the haunting melody of Chopin’s Prelude #4 as a background to a beautiful Trombone feature that takes us through a lushly-scored journey of a life well lived, as it soars to a joyous, half-time funk groove before winding back down to an introspective end which will truly leave the audience floating. All rhythm parts are completely written out, with suggested solos included. (4:49)

ZJE2301

Ardiente

Michele Fernández

The Florida Bandmasters Association commissioned this chart for the 2023 All-State Jazz ensemble. This is an authentically-written Salsa that truly fits its title, beginning with a poignant, written piano solo that transitions into a medium tempo Cuban “Son Montuno” (aka “Salsa”) before turning up the fire with an uptempo Songo groove. All rhythm parts are clearly written out. (5:37)

ZJE2303

Exactly What it Is

#2 in the Great Quotation Series

Steve Wiest

The main portion of this chart is slow swing similar to Slide Hampton’s Frame for the Blues, but it is interspersed with vignettes that use all the colors of the contemporary jazz ensemble. Cascading bell-tones and a lush written Trumpet solo start the tune off which leads to the first slow swing section. A great choice for a “contrast” chart at a festival! (5:04) ZJE2302

Ram-Funk-tious

Kris Berg

Commissioned by the great Waltrip High School Ram Band this Funk chart has loads of exciting and dramatic moments. It starts with the pedal to the metal and stays intense right up to the Trumpet solo at measure 87 where the whole feel changes for a slow build to next big hits with the band trading short phrases with the Drums. (6:20) ZJE2304