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John Coltrane’s jazz standard is arranged by Kris Berg to offer strong ensemble writing, a fierce sax section soli and solo space on the 12-bar blues chord progression. It’s flexible so you can have few or many soloists of all instruments with backgrounds as needed. Great tune, great chart—it’s as simple as that. Duration: 6:57

Grade Advanced Style 12/8 Afro-Cuban Feel Ranges D6 Trumpet Bb4 Trombone

An original by Gordon Goodwin, this is a jazzy half-time groove chart. This chart is not as challenging as some of Gordon’s other charts, but it will still work the band. Features solo space for alto, tenor, trumpet and trombone, a sax soli and some fine ensemble writing. As recorded by the Big Phat Band on the CD, Act Your Age. Duration: 5:13

It’s a jazz-reggae groove composed and arranged by Gordon Goodwin for the Big Phat Band. Lead alto sax is written for soprano sax, and solos are available for soprano, alto, tenor, trumpet and trombone. Floating Home is not technically difficult but the lead trumpet range is a challenge, as you would expect with Gordon’s charts. This is a somewhat mellow chart but has energy and punches. As performed by the Big Phat Band. Duration: 1:27

Here's a fresh new take on a traditional jazz standard. The style is still uptempo swing, and the saxes maintain a fair share of the spotlight along with ensemble hits and solo spots for drums. However, there is a brief excursion into 5/4 and a few other meter surprises that help give this outstanding chart a contemporary edge.

Written for and recorded by the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, Joe Jackson director, John Wasson has created a stunning and unique setting of this long-standing jazz classic. The chart is filled with twists and turns, blazing ensemble passages and also features solo space for two alto saxes (optional alto sax and trumpet). For the mature band, here is a real showstopper.

It’s funky with all the Big Phat Band attributes, and it’s fairly tough to play, but hey, it’s Gordon and you know it will be a hot chart…if you have the horses. The opening lick for piano is really hot. The rhythm section will stay busy and it includes an auxiliary percussion part. Solo space is for alto, tenor, bari, trumpet and trombone. Open with this chart! Duration: 4:55

This up-tempo samba on this wonderful Cole Porter standard is a great vehicle for your band—not difficult yet very effective. The melody and solo space (written-out solos) feature alto and trumpet and a nice interlude band shout chorus. Lead trumpet range is to written B, above the staff. Duration: 3:11

A high-energy jazz chart set as a samba with a funky groove and a swing feel, arranged by Eric Richards. A few features include sax solis, powerful ensemble writing, a jazz solo for 2nd trumpet, and lead trumpet range to written D, above the staff. It’s a challenging chart but worth the work and it will bring down the house. A fabulous jazz tune and an outstanding chart by a seasoned writer—in short, this is a very hot chart. Duration: 5:48

La Quema del Diablo (The Burning of the Devil) is a non-stop swing-shuffle with plenty of challenges for your band. Victor López offers you a power introduction, a hip melody, solo space for tenor sax and/or 1st trombone, stop-time section solis, a shout chorus, and lead trumpet range is to written high D. The Devil made him do it! Duration: 4:48

Utilizing a unique blend of swing styles at various tempos, this marvelous composition can certainly be a focal point of any festival or contest program. The scoring is varied and impeccable, and there is flexible space for solos as well as exciting full ensemble passages.

Tasty and groovy with a funky Latin vibe, this tune is composed by Dave Grusin and arranged by Gordon to feature Dave and guitarist Lee Ritenour on the recent Big Phat Band CD, Act Your Age. If you have a piano and guitar player to showcase, this is a wonderful chart. While not technically difficult, the dynamics and colors are key aspects of this arrangement. There is an optional flute on 2nd alto and optional bass clarinet on bari sax, but sax parts are provided. As recorded by the Big Phat Band! Duration: 5:04

Grade Advanced Style Funky Rock Ranges D6 Trumpet Bb4 Trombone

This monster arrangement is the authentic version as recorded by Bill Watrous and his “Manhattan Wildlife Refuge” in the mid '70s. The signature lines and blazing tempo of Chick Corea's classic are transformed into a roaring chart for big band by master arranger John LaBarbera. (Alto 1 doubles Flute, and Alto 2 doubles Soprano Sax)

Feature a trumpet or trombone soloist on Frank Mantooth's masterful “brisk” treatment of this standard. With powerful ensemble punches and a driving feel throughout, this one defines the term “burner.” (Originally published in 1987 and recorded by The Ashley Alexander Big Band on “Seems Like Old Times” – PR 7209)

Recommended! Bass ‘bone players can count on one hand the good charts available for their instrument. Well, here is one of the best, arranged by Dave Wolpe. A medium-swing feel, this showcase will bring the best out in your bass trombone player with no improvisation, just written melody. There is some (written-out) jazz for 2nd trumpet in harmony mute, and the lead trumpet has a unison line to written high E. A nice sax soli is the icing on this cake. An outstanding feature chart. Duration: 3:23

Here is an outstanding tenor sax feature chart that was composed by pianist Joey Calderazzo, recorded by the late, great Michael Brecker and arranged by Alan Baylock. A haunting medium swing groove, tenor sax has the melody and the solo space, and lead trumpet range is to written high C. A beautiful tune and superb chart. Duration: 4:19

Composer Eric Richards offers a creative, challenging and effective original in 6/4 time, with a straight eighth groove that moves into a swing feel, but still in 6. You’ll discover that this chart feels great in 6 with features such as a sax soli, solo space for tenor sax and trumpet 2, lots of ensemble shout chorus, and lead trumpet range to written C, above the staff. An excellent chart with a hint of Metheny. Duration: 7:26

Think of Take the A Train with a contemporary flair and you have the idea behind this inventive chart by Alan Baylock. Opening up in a swing groove, then alternating with a funk feel, bari sax, bass ‘bone, guitar and bass have the initial melodic statement in this terrific chart. Solo space is available for alto sax 1, trombone 1, bari sax and trumpet 2, and the lead trumpet range is to written D, above the staff. A modern yet superb chart of a tune everyone knows. Duration: 5:15

This classic Herbie Hancock composition has become one of the most well-known songs in jazz history. Gordon Goodwin wanted to do something a little different in his arrangement without violating the spirit and intent of the original version, so he scored it as a jazz shuffle that screams excitement. Solis, big ensemble, modulations and solo space for alto, tenor, bari, trumpet 4 and trombone will give all the flex space you need. As recorded on Gordon’s newest CD, Act Your Age—get it while it’s hot! Duration: (5:28

Don Ellis and Hank Levy. Both are legendary for big band charts in odd meters. Whiplash is a super-exciting chart in 7/4 composed by Levy and arranged by Erik Morales. Don’t be intimidated by the meter—after a few minutes it feels quite natural and the students will totally eat it up. The melody is stated by 2nd trumpet and 1st alto with solo space for both with easy chord changes. Articulation is critical and the rhythm section may want to spend some quality time together. Lead trumpet range is to written D above the staff. This is a unique but very desirable chart to have in your library that you won’t regret playing. Duration: 4:58