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First Chorus (Grades 1-2)     Straight Ahead (Grades 3-4)     Salsafied! (Grades 3-4)
Spotlight (Grades 4-5)     Extensions (Grades 5-6)     Mike Vax     Marching Band    Combos

 Combos

Welcome to our Combo Series of charts!

These new original compositions are based on established chord changes such as the 12 bar blues, or “rhythm changes” or jazz standards, and can be played by any combination of instruments from piano or guitar trio up to a full jazz band.

This is due to our unique arranging strategy which provides four instrumental parts, with complete solo changes, for each horn, except for trombone which has two parts to choose from. This allows for any combination of horns from a single soloist up to the entire ensemble. It is also possible to achieve the “Supersax” section sound by having the bari read the alto 1 part.

Another advantage to our approach is that it encourages the students to begin exploring basic arranging concepts. Who should play the melody? Should we play the harmony parts or just unison? Why was it written that way? There is ample opportunity for experimentation and rearranging with our charts.

Blue Note Blues

Grade 2      Swing      Composer:Paul Baker      Price:$25     

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In the tradition of the classic Blue Note recording Blue Trane, Blue Note Blues incorporates the option for both a unison and a harmonized melody. After the solo section, the head is played again before moving on to a tagged ending.

Blues for Charlie J

Grade 3      Swing      Composer:Paul Baker      Price:$25     

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Dedicated to Charles J. “Butch” Miles, this 12 bar Blues Shuffle in Bb provides a straight ahead blowing platform on the most basic of chord progressions. Like Butch, it swings all the way to the last note.

Kenny D

Grade 3      Latin      Composer:Paul Baker      Price:$25     

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This smooth bossa nova is based on the chord changes for Blue Bossa, a famous jazz standard composed by Kenny Dorham. A new original melody is intertwined with a countermelody all the way through the first 16 bar chorus before giving way to a second chorus harmonized both as a duet and in four part block voicing – a very musical and full sounding chart.

R.C.T.

Grade 3      Swing      Composer:      Price:$25     

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…..stands for Rhyhym Changes Tune and features a unison line for the first A sections, followed by a harmonized bridge and block voicing final 8. After the solos, the head is played again and the chart closes with a signature Count Basie piano ending.