Latin Collection  Up a Level         

Plus optional flute. Recorded by the Cuban band leader Mario Bauza on the 1994 CD ‘Latin Jazz’, Nascente NSCD 008. Bring the excitement of this lively instrumental salsa to your next concert of club date. Plenty of section work, plus written out trumpet, tenor and trombone solos with riff backings, as well as an open montuno section. Top note Bb for lead trumpet and G for trombone. (This chart will work with 4 front line, 3 rhythm and 2 percussion). The original recording is in Bb. We have taken our published key down to F to keep brass ranges within an intermediate level range. Grade: Intermediate

From the 1997 recording Paquito D'Rivera and the United Nations Orchestra. The mysterious energy created by employing the Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythm starting pp with the rhythm and percussion sections, joined by 'sotto voce' saxes and gradually building, provides a wonderful vehicle for solos. There is also plenty of work in this arrangement for the whole band. Separate Latin percussion part included. Top note C for lead trumpet. Key Eb.

Plus 2 optional flute. One of this Brazilian composer’s most emotive slow bossas, arranged by Jerry Sheppard as a flugel horn feature. The piece is introduced by two flutes (cued on saxes) with “free” Afro-Brazilian percussion designed to create an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation. (A useful percussion guide in the instructional video ‘Rhythm & Colours’ by Airto Moreira produced by DCI – VHO158). Two Latin percussion parts included. Key Eb. Grade: Medium-Easy

This great Big Band arrangement, opens with a Rio Carnival parade style fanfare, leading into a smooth modern samba rhythm with the lead shared between flugel/trombone and the sax section. Lively written solos are followed by fiery full band sections with Latin percussion breaks and an optional half tempo play off ending. Top note B flat for lead trumpet. Key F minor.

Expanded for full big band from the original version on the album ‘Party with Puente’. A very effective but not difficult chart. Top note A for 1st trumpet. Includes optional Flute or Piccolo. Key Eb. Grade: Intermediate

From the 1994 album Latin Jazz. This is a superb blend of smooth modern jazz harmonies and Latin rhythms, composed by these two leading musicians from Cuba and Brazil. This chart by Shaun Byrne includes plenty of section work which is challenging, yet not beyond the abilities of estalished rehearsal bands. Written solos for alto, tenor, trumpet and trombone, as well as a 'swapping 8's' sequence, building up to a powerful whole band ending. Key F minor.

The Tito Puente salsa version from ‘Party with Puente’ extended for full big band. A 5/4 number played in 4/4? Yes, it really does work – brilliantly. Just listen to the original Puente recording. Key Gm. Grade: Intermediate

Plus optional flute. An exciting full band Jerry Sheppard arrangement of this Latin Rock classic. Suitable for student bands with trombones cued onto saxes and written out piano, tenor and optional alternative flute/trombone/guitar solos with backing riffs and chord symbols, giving maximum flexibility. Top note A for lead trumpet. A great Latin concert number. Key F. Grade: Medium-Easy

Another great mid-tempo instrumental salsa chart from this Cuban band leader featured on Latin Jazz. Alto (or flute) and tenor sax solos, plus lots of vibrant Latin groove riffs from the whole band. Top note D for lead trumpet. Two additional Latin percussion parts included. Key F.