Ted Heath Series  Up a Level         

A rare and unusual song from the Ted Heath book., Heading North is a 1957 composition and is a medium temp (at 130 bpm) minor blues chart. It kicks off with a solo piano 12 bar lick (written), joined after by unison bones with sax answerbacks. Saxes then take the soli, answered by the trombones leading to a 24 bar muted trumpet solo (chord based - scored on all 4 trumpet parts) with sax and bone backing figures. Piano comes back in and the chart finished with a big tutti shout chorus. This is a fairly straightforward chart to play. Duration: 2'40' Grade: Easy/Medium (Trumpet solo is ad lib, but other than that the ranges are moderate and the chart is very playable - no sax doubles)

Lullaby of Birdland was written by the great English born pianist George Shearing, and this chart has been transcribed from the Ted Heath book by Mogens Hobel. The original Reg Owen arrangement was one of Heath's most requested tunes, and as well as containing some lovely ensemble writing it gives solo opportunities to your Pianist and lead Tenor. the chart is typical of many of Heath's numbers - a mix of subtlety and raw power, light and shade. An excellent tune for dancing or for concert work. Both Altos double Clarinet, and Trumpets 1 & 2 reach a brief high D, though the chart is not generally demanding for the brass. Duration 3' 40' Grade Easy/Medium

Ted Heath orchestra version of My Blue Heaven. Features Trumpet, Tenor Sax & Piano.

Transcribed from the original Johnny Keating chart, Ol' Man River is an absolute screamer of a chart, from the time when the Ted Heath band was at its height. Heath recorded two slightly different versions of the chart, the only difference being that the 'Palladium Revisited' chart kicks off in G before modulating to Bb then Ab, whilst the 'Kern for Moderns' version starts in Bb. We prefer this Palladium version and offer it for you here. This is a fast, tough chart, particularly for the brass. Lead Trumpet (Bobby Pratt) hits high G, and 2nd Trumpet (Bert Courtley) high F. Trombones 3 & 4 need to reach high Bb, with 1 & 2 reaching C. It is not for the faint hearted. The Trumpet solo is improvised, and written on the 2nd part. The Piano, Bass & Guitar parts are from chords. Whilst not a long arrangement, it is a showstopper if you can pull it off! There are no Sax doubles. Duraton: 2'15' Grade: Advanced

This version of Swingin' Shepherd Blues is transcribed from that played by the late, great Ted Heath. Unusually for a swing chart the tempo is pretty slow, but very effective nonetheless. This chart is a real contrast of dynamics, because it alternates from one or two reeds plus rhythm, to tutti fortissimo and back again. This arrangement makes a great concert piece and is equally suitable for strict temp dancing. Lead Alto is on Soprano Sax throughout, and 2nd Alto is on Clarinet throughout. Duration 2'50' Grade; Easy/Medium