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Here is Part 1 of Artie Shaw's stunning Concerto for Clarinet, written by the great man himself. Following a big tutti opening comes a stylish Clarinet cadenza intro, with band backing and solo Piano infills. The Piano then picks up into 8-beat Boogie style with a 24 bar solo, answered by the Clarinet. Solos too for Trumpet, Trombone, Alto and Tenor with a final Clarinet solo flourish. This is Shaw's defining work for Solo Clarinet and big band, but be warned, you will need a very good Pianist and Clarinet player to carry this off. At nearly 4 and a half minutes this is only the half of it. The second part of this Concert, itself almost 5 minutes long and even more challenging for the Clarinettist, is available separately. The whole piece is scored for Clarinet, 2 Altos, 2 Tenors, 8 brass and rhythm. All solos are fully written out, though naturally your players can improvise if they wish. Duration 4' 30' Grade: Advanced

Here is Part 2 of Artie Shaw's stunning Concerto for Clarinet. The chart opens with four stylish Clarinet cadenzas, after which the drummer picks up the tempo with a floor-tom solo, joined by solo Clarinet for 40 measures. Briefly into 3/4 time for band chord stabs, the Clarinet and Drum solo continues. Another time shift for more stabs, then three tutti swing choruses to a false finish. The clarinet solo wraps things up with a further four cadenzaq passages. This is a very challenging work for solo clarinet, and will need a great player to pull it off. The saxes are scored for 2 Altos and 2 Tenors. The Clarinet range is up to super C. Duration 4' 50' Grade: Advanced

Mr Anthony's Boogie is a rousing up-tempo swing Boogie Woogie which features the Trumpet section, and a solo 3rd Trumpet in particular. It is graded as medium/advanced, as the arrangement has a number of triplet passages which require precision from both Trumpet and Sax sections, plus the Trumpets are quite high in their registers. The Trumpet and Tenor solos are written out, though the pianist is left free to improvise. No Sax doubles. Grade Medium/Advanced Duration: 2' 35'

This is simply a great up-tempo jump jive number, made famous by the Glen Gray Orchestra. There are some instrument doubles. Saxes 1,2 and 3 all double Clarinet, and the Baritone doubles Alto. Lead Alto also needs a Soprano if your Alto 2 can't hit high F# and A. All solos are written out as exact transcriptions of the original, though players may improvise if they wish. The second trumpets takes two solos and both are cross-cued on the lead part. Grade: Medium/Advanced. Duration 6'30'

A great swing chart from the pen of Louis Bellson, Skin Deep opens with a big half-time fanfare and then breaks into up-tempo swing. The Saxes lead the first chorus and the brass are loud and punchy behind. With some great unison runs and Trombone passages, the read driver of this number is the Drummer. There are four drum solo passages, with the last one being as long as you like. It leads the band into a huge climactic finish. Terrific fun. Duration: 3' 10'+ Grade: Medium

This is the 1966 Ellington version of Strayhorn's great tune, with Cootie Williiams' trumpet solo (written on the 4th part) transcribed in full. This version also features an extended ending, giving more Trumpet solo time. Originally written for four saxes and seven brass, this version is scored for full sections. An excellent job of transcription by Jon Harpin, and a worthy addition to any library. Duration: 3'30' Grade: Medium

More 'bluesey' than the Miller version, this arrangement from the Gene Krupa orchestra makes a refreshing addition to any library. The chart features some lovely Guitar and Alto solo cameos and a solo spot for Clarinet (1st Tenor), plus some flowing brass choruses. Wilst the Miller-style Trombone plunger figures are nowhere to be found, the brass sections do have the chance to wave the chance to wave their rubber near the end of the chart, and the Trombones round the piece off with pedal note doo-wops. The saxes are scored for 3 Altos & 2 Tenors, and 1st Tenor doubles Clarinet. The Guitar solos are cued onto the Piano part should you lack a Guitarist. Duration: 3'00' Grade: Easy/Medium (The brass ranges are very moderate, but the Clarinet solo (as written) gets a bit busy in one bar, though your player can always improvise over the chords instead.