Jazz Ensemble
"When I work with a school ensemble and see something by Bryan Kidd in their folders, I know the program is in good hands."
- Chuck Dotas
Director of Jazz Studies; Professor of Music
James Madison University
- Chuck Dotas
Director of Jazz Studies; Professor of Music
James Madison University
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Catch the Spirit
EASY For developing players, "Catch the Spirit" is a fun, toe-tapping gospel/rock composition reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson’s “Gospel John”. Excellent for teaching ensemble and sectional blend, time and style, each section — winds and rhythm — bring their own unique element to the totality of the performance.
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Is That You?
EASY A romantic melody decorated with rich sonorous harmony set in a classic Count Basie ballad style. Edited from the original publication for entry-level instrument range and technique. Excellent for teaching time, tone, blend, balance and style to the developing jazz ensemble. Multiple solo opportunities.
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Back Bay Breeze
MEDIUM EASY A simple melody becomes its own countermelody in this riff-based medium tempo swinger. Lots of section and ensemble unison playing, as well as a fully-voiced sax soli and tutti shout chorus. Solos for piano, alto sax and trumpet (or optional vibraphone) (written and changes). With a modest brass range, this is a challenging yet attainable chart for the developing jazz ensemble.
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Maynard Ferguson's Theme
Blue Birdland MEDIUM EASY Jimmy Giuffre; transcribed and adapted by Bryan Kidd Maynard Ferguson’s iconic theme song transcribed and adapted for high and advanced middle school jazz ensemble from his 1956 recording, “Maynard Ferguson and His Birdland Dream Band.”
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Jingle Bell Boogie
MEDIUM EASY An 8-to-the-bar, bluesy romp in a very hip one-horse top-down sleigh. Solo for tenor sax (written out and changes) and a kickin' shout chorus. Very modest range for the trumpets.
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Nutville
MEDIUM EASY Horace Silver, arranged by Bryan Kidd So, you love Greg Hopkins' killer arrangement for the Buddy Rich band, but like a lot of us, are still building your band towards that level of technical skill and musicianship. Here's the perfect stop in that musical journey. Faithful to, as Silver described it, the "nutty" harmony, there are solos for alto sax, trumpet, and trombone - or for anyone else who'd like to jump in (written and changes). There are suggestions for performance alternatives for the rhythm section in handling the mambo/Latin to the double-time jazz section.
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Side Door Shuffle
MEDIUM EASY Shuffle along in Basie-style with this infectious, toe-tapping blues. The opening call-and-response dialogue between the brass and saxes is followed by a tutti ensemble and surprise modulation that sets up solo opportunities for everyone. Edited from the original publication, "Side Door Shuffle" sports a revised shout chorus and expanded Basie-inspired “All of Me” ending.
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Available either as a hard copy with concert-size parts (9 x 12) and
tabloid-size, coil-bound score (11x17), or downloadable EPrint: Order from MyScore at J.W. Pepper |
For a letter-size PDF score and complete set of parts :
Order Parts and Score (Letter-size) from Sheet Music Direct For a more easily read Tabloid-size (11x17) PDF score (Recommended): Order Full Score Only (11x17) from Sheet Music Direct |
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Bass of Operations
String Bass feature with Jazz Ensemble MEDIUM In the grand tradition of Duke Ellington's famous bassist, Jimmy Blanton, here's a solo-feature for your bass player. Or... looking to showcase one of your other "low voice" instruments? Optional parts are included to feature either bass clarinet, bassoon, baritone sax or tuba.
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Battle Hymn of the Republic
MEDIUM Patriotism "cooks" in this infectious, bluesy shuffle. All ensemble with the whole band working together to produce a determined, yet happy and swinging performance including a kickin' sax soli and hot shout chorus.
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Be Boppin' A-Brown
MEDIUM A relaxed boppin'-along "cool jazz" melody with groovy changes. Features tenor sax and trumpet (changes only). The sax section is handsomely rewarded with a spectacular Super Sax-styled soli. Modest range-demands for the brass.
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The Daily Blues
MEDIUM A minor-key blues patterned in the "cool jazz" style. A relaxed two-beat contrapuntal head gives way to swinging-in-four alto and trumpet solos (changes only), a driving sax soli and tutti shout.
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Hey, Sammy!
MEDIUM Written with my favorite composer / arranger in mind, Sammy Nestico. A laid-back, easy- swingin' chart with the melody carried by Flugelhorn, Flute, Saxes, Guitar and Vibraphone. Solo (chord changes only) for either Flute, Tenor Sax, Flugelhorn, Guitar or Vibraphone... or divided among your players. Solos give way to a full-ensemble combo-like unison tutti and a full-ensemble shout. A happy chart!
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Adapted from Quincy Jones' Grammy-winning arrangement for Count Basie
I Can't Stop Loving You MEDIUM Don Gibson arranged by Quincy Jones transcribed and adapted by Bryan Kidd Count Basie’s version of Don Gibson’s country and western hit song, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” stands as one of his band’s most iconic arrangements. Quincy Jones arranged it along with the rest of the music for their 1963 album, This Time by Basie! Hits of the 50s and 60s. The following year, in 1964, the album achieved Grammy status in two categories with Quincy Jones winning Best Instrumental Arrangement for “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and Count Basie for Best Performance by an Orchestra — for Dancing.
Order Full Score Only (Tabloid-size 11x17) from Sheet Music Direct |
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I'm Yours
MEDIUM An exquisitely dreamy Basie-style ensemble ballad. Note-easy, but challenging in terms of blend and phrasing.
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Sister Sadie
MEDIUM Horace Silver, arranged by Bryan Kidd With a nod to the great Buddy Rich arrangement, but in a much easier key range-wise for the brass. This chart cooks... check out the sax soli lead-up to the final shout chorus.
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When Johnny Comes Swingin' Home
MEDIUM Civil War bandmaster Patrick S. Gilmore's most famous march done in a swingin' style. Features baritone sax and trumpet solos (written out and changes), sax section soli (Gilmore introduced the saxophone to the American concert band) and a powerful shout chorus.
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When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Trumpet / Flugelhorn solo with Jazz Ensemble MEDIUM Otis Rene, Clarence Muse, Leon Rene; arranged by Bryan Kidd Arranged for the Hayfield High School Jazz Ensemble, The Hayburners, "When It’s Sleepy Time Down South" comes from an obscure 1931 movie called Safe in Hell. The first covers recorded that year were those by Paul Whitman and His Orchestra with Mildred Bailey and Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra. Of the many recordings made since then, “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South” is most closely associated with Louis as his signature song. He recorded it multiple times and performed it as the opening tune for thousands of his concerts.
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Performance by the Hayfield High School Jazz Ensemble,
The Hayburners |
Hootin' with Newton
MEDIUM ADVANCED "Hootin' with Newton" is a colorful, hard-swinging minor blues I wrote for my dad, Newton Wilbur "Bill" Kidd. There are solos for flute and trumpet, followed by a driving "Super Sax" soli that segues to a roaring shout chorus. Challenging music.
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Video Score
performed by Jazz One, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Jason Smith, Director of Jazz Studies |
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Leadin' the Way
MEDIUM ADVANCED Commissioned by All-Virginia Jazz in celebration of the Virginia Music Educators Association’s 75th Anniversary A swinging gospel-ish call-and-response tune dressed up in a bluesy three-to-the-bar arrangement. Musical opportunities abound – from solos (piano, trumpet, trombone and string bass) to the cheerful sax soli and high-spirited shout chorus. This is what big band jazz is all about.
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We Wish You a Merry Christmas
MEDIUM ADVANCED Rich bucket mute ensemble-harmony and a roaring shout section decorate this warm lilting Basie-styled ballad of the classic English carol. Seasonal solos for piano (written), tenor sax (changes only) and string bass (brief written tag ending).
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A Foggy Day
Vocal Soloist and Jazz Ensemble / Big Band PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Ira Gershwin and George Gershwin; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow In swingin’ Sinatra big band style, this Gershwin brother’s classic was arranged in the late 1980s for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (then under the direction of famed trombonist Buddy Morrow). An enduring chart – it continues to be performed by the band’s vocalists today.
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Autumn Serenade
Solo Trombone and Jazz Ensemble / Big Band PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Peter De Rose and Sammy Gallop; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Larry O'Brien Richly imaginative harmony and a poignantly beautiful melody – Peter De Rose and Sammy Gallop’s 1945 song, “Autumn Serenade,” found a performance home with artists ranging from Harry James to John Coltrane to Kurt Elling. Major Glenn Miller’s magnificent Army Air Forces Orchestra was among the first to record it. This arrangement was written in 2003 to feature the marvelous trombone talent of then-leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry O’Brien.
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Blues Conference
ADVANCED The essence of big band jazz is Count Basie and the blues: a toe-tapping groove, solos, huge dynamic contrasts and a whisper-to-a-roar shout chorus. Solos for piano, trombone and trumpet... or open it up for others among your "conferees."
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Fascinating Rhythm
PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED As performed by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow Big band drumming... with rhythms that fascinate! This arrangement was performed for many years by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra then under the direction of famed trombone virtuoso, Buddy Morrow.
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Flying Home
PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores A happy, enthusiastic and swingin’ arrangement of Lionel Hampton’s classic 1942 hit, “Flying Home.” Solos for drum set, piano, tenor sax and trombone. Most notably, the sax section steps to the fore in tribute to the famous solo created by Hampton’s young tenor sax star, Illinois Jacquet.
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Mr. Lucky
Jazz Ensemble with optional Strings for Pops Orchestra performance PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Henry Mancini; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow This big band swing version of Henry Mancini’s tuneful melody was arranged for famed trombone virtuoso, Buddy Morrow at the outset of his long-lived, 33-year tenure as leader of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Tight tutti ensemble playing sets up space for your trumpet soloist. Check out the contrasting full band shout chorus and gorgeously lyrical Dorsey-style trombone soli.
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Prelude to a Kiss
Solo Alto Sax and Jazz Ensemble with optional Strings for Pops Orchestra performance PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Irving Gordon; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores Poignant and sophisticated – Prelude to a Kiss is one of Duke Ellington’s most enduring ballads. With a beautiful melody supported by a great chord progression, this arrangement is a superlative, if not challenging, feature for alto saxophone. Included with the jazz ensemble set are parts for an optional string section.
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Sambop
ADVANCED As performed by The United States Navy Band jazz ensemble, The Commodores A Brazilian samba with an engaging melody and fun-to-play-on chord changes. Edited from its original single-instrument solo format to feature a trio made up of flute (or tenor sax), trumpet and trombone. The full ensemble also gets a challenging workout as it segues from unison bop-influenced lines to a fully voiced shout chorus. This track was recorded as a solo feature by The United States Navy Band Commodores' then-lead alto saxophonist, Ron Deal. Previous performances include Randy Brecker with the U.S. Navy School of Music Faculty Jazz Ensemble, NYSMA music educator and vibraphonist Thomas A. Brown with the Duquesne University Jazz Ensemble, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra directed by Buddy Morrow.
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The Song is You
Vocal Soloist and Jazz Ensemble / Big Band PROFESSIONAL - ADVANCED Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern; arranged by Bryan Kidd As performed by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow Swingin’ in a Sinatra big band style! This Hammerstein / Kern masterpiece was arranged in the late 1980s for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (then under the direction of famed trombonist Buddy Morrow). An enduring chart – it continues to be performed by the band’s vocalists today.
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