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Jazz Ensemble Repertoire: 2025 Ideas for Music Educators
Posted January 21, 2025 in News by Chris Bailey
In-stock Jazz Ensemble Repertoire
Discover 24 handpicked musical gems that elevate student learning and performance.
Time to read: 12 minutes
This collection of jazz ensemble repertoire features both original compositions and well-known standards, spanning a variety of jazz styles. Performers typically need at least 1–2 years of experience in a concert band setting to join a jazz ensemble. Arrangements are graded from 1 to 1.5 for beginners, 2 to 2.5 for junior players, and 3 to 3.5 for intermediate players. It’s worth noting that the grading for jazz charts differs from concert band selections, as jazz arrangements often involve more challenging key signatures, rhythmic complexities, and technical demands.
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Michael Cybulskie
Educational Print Music Specialist
289-809-5194
1-888-463-4001
Jazz Ensemble Repertoire
Featured are carefully chosen pieces that showcase the rich diversity and expressive depth of jazz music. This curated selection often includes a mix of timeless standards, bebop classics, and contemporary compositions, reflecting the evolving nature of jazz. Each piece is selected for its unique ability to teach different aspects of jazz, such as improvisation, complex harmonies, and rhythmic intricacies.
Alligator Boogaloo
Grade: 1
Composer: Lou Donaldson
Arranger: Terry White
Cosmo SKU: P100151029 | Alfred #: 00-46147
👉 Shop Alligator Boogaloo
A simple blues chart with a funky boogaloo groove and a strong melody. Written solos are included for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, and trombone.
Caracas
Grade: 1
Composer: Lou Donaldson
Arranger: Terry White
Cosmo SKU: P100156202 | Alfred #: 00-47026
👉 Shop Caracas
A bossa with a catchy melody, played at around 136 BPM, featuring rich harmonies and accessible brass ranges.
Midnight Snack
Grade: 1
Composer: Rick Hirsch
Cosmo SKU: P100174837 | Alfred #: 00-47510
👉 Shop Midnight Snack
An easy and clever swing chart, played at around 132 BPM, with written solos cued for all saxophones and trumpets. The first trumpet range extends to a written E-flat on the top space, with optional parts included.
Living for the City (Stevie Wonder)
Grade: 1.5
Composer: Stevie Wonder
Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Cosmo SKU: P100173352 | Hal Leonard #: 07013106
👉 Shop Living for the City (Stevie Wonder)
An authentic-sounding arrangement of a Stevie Wonder classic for young players. It includes all the signature riffs, simple metre changes, and solo spots for alto or tenor saxophone.
The Funky Monkey
Grade: 1.5
Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Cosmo SKU: P100165544 | Hal Leonard #: 07012139
👉 Shop The Funky Monkey
A medium-funk groove original chart featuring a catchy, riff-like melody that will quickly become one of your band’s favourites. It includes plenty of solid ensemble playing for easy learning, with a solo section that can feature any saxophone or even the entire section.
Shop Around (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
Grade: 1.5
Composer: Barry Gordy, Smokey Robinson
Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Cosmo SKU: P102141386 | Hal Leonard #: 07013982
👉 Shop Shop Around (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
The signature Smokey Robinson & The Miracles 1960 hit, arranged for a beginning jazz band. It includes modest ranges, simple rhythms, and a short solo for any saxophone.
Pennsylvania 6-5000 (Glenn Miller Orchestra)
Grade: 1.5
Composer: Gerry Gray, Carl Sigman
Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Cosmo SKU: P100177942 | Hal Leonard #: 07013414
👉 Shop Pennsylvania 6-5000 (Glenn Miller Orchestra)
One of the iconic hits from the big band era, made famous by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Saxophones take the lead on the main melody, with the entire band joining in on the vocal chant. The arrangement also includes short solos for trumpet and alto saxophone.
Get Back
Grade: 1.5
Composer: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Arranger: Michael Sweeney
Cosmo SKU: P100165939 | Hal Leonard #: 07470743
👉 Shop Get Back
Recorded by The Beatles on Let It Be and famously performed on the roof of Apple Studios in London, this is a rockin’ version for very young jazz bands.
Africa
Grade: 2
Composer: David Paich, Jeff Porcaro
Arranger: Ralph Ford
Cosmo SKU: P100150296 | Alfred #: 00-43739
👉 Shop Africa
A classic rock tune from the band Toto, arranged at a tempo of 90 BPM, with the half note receiving the beat. Written solos are included for trombone 1 and alto saxophone 1. The top note for trumpet 1 is a written G above the staff. Optional parts include flute, clarinet, and vibraphone.
Watermelon Man
Grade: 2
Composer: Herbie Hancock
Arranger: Mike Kamuf
Cosmo SKU: P100190087 | Alfred #: 00-30665
👉 Shop Watermelon Man
A classic Herbie Hancock tune featuring a fun, funky, hip groove. It includes written-out solos for alto saxophone and tenor saxophone, a stop-time section for the saxophones, a fantastic interlude, a monster shout chorus, and some short drum fills. Optional parts are also included.
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (The Temptations)
Grade: 2
Composer: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Cosmo SKU: P100177629 | Hal Leonard #: 07013316
👉 Shop Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (The Temptations)
This acclaimed hit from the supergroup The Temptations was their final #1 single from 1972. With a haunting yet appealing minor groove, this chart offers interesting parts for all sections of the band.
Song for My Father (Horace Silver)
Grade: 2
Composer: Horace Silver
Arranger: Paul Murtha
Cosmo SKU: P102141388 | Hal Leonard #: 07014171
👉 Shop Song for My Father (Horace Silver)
A Horace Silver standard expertly adapted for an easier level, with a distinctive bass line and Latin style. It’s a great way to introduce the music of this jazz legend to your students.
Learn to Fly (Foo Fighters)
Grade: 2
Composer: Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mandel, Dave Grohl
Arranger: John Berry
Cosmo SKU: P100172568 | Hal Leonard #: 07012762
👉 Shop Learn to Fly (Foo Fighters)
A great-sounding chart of the popular rock tune recorded by the Foo Fighters. This arrangement requires no solos, and the melody is traded around from section to section.
Recorda Me (Remember Me)
Grade: 2.5
Composer: Joe Henderson
Arranger: Mike Kamuf
Cosmo SKU: P100180993 | Alfred #: 00-47513
👉 Shop Recorda Me (Remember Me)
One of the best jazz standards, with a brisk tempo of 156 BPM arranged in a Latin groove. The melody is handled by tenor saxophone, trumpet, and guitar, with written solos provided for tenor saxophone and trumpet. The lead trumpet range goes up to a written G above the staff. Optional parts are also provided.
Slim Chickens
Grade: 2.5
Composer: Kris Berg
Cosmo SKU: P100183785 | Alfred #: 00-47512
👉 Shop Slim Chickens
A very accessible chart at around 148 BPM that continues with the composer’s chicken theme. It includes written-out suggested solos for tenor saxophone 1 and trombone 1, with background figures to support the soloists. The lead trumpet range is written up to G above the staff, with some nice baritone saxophone parts, a sax soli, and full-sounding ensemble sections.
Cold Duck Time
Grade: 3
Composer: Eddie Harris
Arranger: Erik Morales
Cosmo SKU: P100158595 | Alfred #: 00-40357
👉 Shop Cold Duck Time
A hip tune set in a funky-rock groove with a straight-eighth feel and a very hip opening intro lick. The tempo is set around 132-144 BPM, with written-out solos available for alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet 2, and guitar. The lead trumpet range goes up to a written A above the staff (optional B).
Things Ain’t What They Used to Be
Grade: 3
Composer: Mercer Ellington
Arranger: Alan Baylock
Cosmo SKU: P100187590 | Alfred #: 00-43708
👉 Shop Things Ain’t What They Used to Be
A terrific shuffle swing featuring a classic melody, with written solos available for alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and tenor saxophone. The tempo is 120 BPM, with a powerful shout chorus. The lead trumpet range goes up to a written G above the staff.
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Chicago)
Grade: 3
Composer: Robert Lamm
Arranger: Mark Taylor
Cosmo SKU: P100161085 | Hal Leonard #: 07010144
👉 Shop Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Chicago)
An easy-going shuffle tune from the classic horn band Chicago that still stands as a great-sounding piece. It includes solos for trumpet and tenor saxophone.
I Want You Back (The Jackson 5)
Grade: 3
Composer: Deke Richards, Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy
Arranger: John Wasson
Cosmo SKU: P100169242 | Hal Leonard #: 07011897
👉 Shop I Want You Back (The Jackson 5)
A funky, skillfully scored arrangement of the classic Motown The Jackson 5 radio hit.
September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Grade: 3
Composer: Maurice White, Al McKay, Allee Willis
Arranger: Paul Murtha
Cosmo SKU: P102141390 | Hal Leonard #: 07014169
👉 Shop September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Here is Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” – a playable version for younger bands that captures the infectious groove of the original.
The Frim Fram Sauce
Grade: 3.5
Composer: Joe Ricardel, Redd Evans
Arranger: John Wasson
Cosmo SKU: P100187047 | Hal Leonard #: 07013454
👉 Shop The Frim Fram Sauce
Famously recorded by Nat King Cole in the 1940s, this catchy tune has become a standard, recorded by jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and, more recently, Diana Krall. This arrangement honours the original style with a few contemporary twists. Solos are included for trumpet and trombone.
Running with Scissors
Grade: 2
Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Cosmo SKU: P100182074 | Alfred #: 00-47022
👉 Shop Running with Scissors
A hip chart played around 168 BPM, loaded with the Goodwin Phat Band vibe. Sample solos are provided for C instruments, E-flat alto saxophone/baritone saxophone, B-flat tenor saxophone, B-flat trumpet, and trombone. The lead trumpet range goes up to a written high C, with an optional D.
Lush Life
Grade: 2
Composer: Billy Strayhorn
Arranger: Mike Kamuf
Cosmo SKU: P100173571 | Alfred #: 00-46161
👉 Shop Lush Life
A classic Billy Strayhorn ballad arranged with a tempo of approximately 88 BPM, shifting into a double-time bossa feel leading into the finale.
Find the Complete Repertoire Lists
- Shop: 2024 Holiday / Winter Concert Repertoire (27 Selections)
- Blog: 2023-2024 Diamond Collection (33 Selections)
- Shop: 2023-2024 Diamond Collection (33 Selections)
- Blog: 2019-2020 Diamond Collection (79 Selections)
- Shop: 2019-2020 Diamond Collection (79 Selections)
Get in Touch with Michael Cybulskie
With a wealth of expertise, Michael’s extensive knowledge and hands-on experience contribute to a collection that reflects not just musical quality, but an understanding of the practicalities involved in leading and teaching ensembles. If you have any repertoire questions, Michael is happy to help!
- 289-809-5194
- 1-888-463-4001
- michael.cybulskie@cosmo.ca
10 Via Renzo Drive
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4S 0B6
Canada
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