Stage Band Books

Methods    Collections    Combo Collections

Harknett Music carries a large selection of Stage Band Collections in stock
at all times. Listed here are some new releases and bestsellers.
If you don't see the book you want, let us know.

Methods

Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble
Comprehensive Method for Style and Improvisation
by Mike Steinel

Each book contains 2 CD's. Compete recordings of
every example played with full band, and again with the
rhythm section. This book is specifically designed to
teach Jazz Basics to students with 1 or 2 years playing
experience. Included are 7 full band arrangements, an
introduction to Jazz Harmony and a quick start for the
rhythm section. A variety of styles are introduced
including Bebop, Latin and Rock, and also teaches the
difference between Jazz and traditional playing.

Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method
by Dean Sorenson & Bruce Pearson

This book will provide you with an introduction to
understanding, enjoying and performing this exciting
music. The book is divided into 3 sections: Rock, Swing,
and Latin. Each section contains rhythm studies and
improvisation studies which may be played with other
members of the jazz ensemble or with the CD included
in each book. Each section also includes charts or
compositions.
 

Chop Monster Books 1 & 2
Jazz Language Tutor
By Shelly Berg

As you lead your students through these books, they will find that
improvising jazz can be easy and fun, because they will be making use of
and developing their inner creativity. Your students learned to speak by
imitating family members and friends, and they will learn to improvise the
language of jazz in the same manner, imitating the notes and inflections of the
call-and -response CD. You can encourage your students to trust their ears
as they listen to the CD tracks. First they will sing the melodies, and next
they will see how easy it is to find these same lines. Soon, these melodies
will be their language, spoken in their own unique voices. The more practice and repetition
they get, the easier and more enjoyable it will be.
 

Collections

The Best of Easy Jazz
Grade 2 - 2˝

From Hal Leonard's long-standing series for Easy Jazz Ensemble,
here is a marvelous collection of 15 outstanding arrangements.
From well-known jazz standards to rock classics, this is quality
and variety at a great value!
Includes: All Blues, All of Me, Beyond the Sea,
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Freddie Freeloader, Green Onions,
Hey Jude, In a Sentimental Mood, Kansas City, Respect,
Saxes with Attitude, Sesame Street Theme, Sidewinder,
Tuxedo Junction, and 25 or 6 to 4.

Young Jazz Ensemble Collection
Grade 2˝

Twelve outstanding arrangements for the young jazz ensemble
written by experienced educational arrangers and composers.
A variety of styles and tempos is included: swing. Ballad, Latin,
holiday, rock, and the classic “Take Five” with a 5/4 time signature.
This collection of charts is written for full instrumentation - 5 saxophones,
4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and 4 rhythm - but designed to sound full and
complete with reduced instrumentation of just 12 players - 4 saxes,
5 brass, piano, bass and drums. Optional parts are available for flute,
clarinet, horn, baritone horn and tuba. Rhythm section parts offer suggestions for rhythms
and piano voicings, and guitar chords are included to assist young guitarists. Solos are
written out for improvised sections and there is plenty of full-sounding ensemble.
The conductor’s book includes full-length CD recordings.
Includes:
Blues In the Night • Burritos to Go • Have Yourself a Merry Christmas
Jumpin’ at the Woodside • Jungle Boogie • Misty • Night and Day
On Green Dolphin Street • Sax to the Max • Summertime • Take Five
Tastes Like Chicken
 

First Year Charts Collection
12 Outstanding Beginning Jazz Ensemble Arrangements
Grade 1-2

Contains:
Chattanooga Choo Choo, El Gato Gordo, James Bond
Theme, A Jazzy Merry Christmas, The Judge, Li'l Darlin',
Loosen Up, One O'Clock Jump, Over the Rainbow,
Peter Gunn, The Pink Panther, Rock This Town

Best of Discovery Jazz
Grade 1-1˝

Contains:
April In Paris, Blues Machine, Georgia On My Mind,
Harlem Nocturne, I Heard It Through the Grapevine,
It Don't Mean a Thing, Mission Impossible, Mood Indigo,
Moten Swing, On Broadway, Rock Around the Clock,
String of Pearls, TWA (Trumpets With Attitude),
Tangerine, Tequila

Swing Classics for Jazz Ensemble
Grade 3

Contains:
American Patrol, April In Paris, Blue Skies,
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, I'm Beginning To See
the Light, In the Mood, It Don't Mean a Thing, Ja-Da,
Leap Frog, Little Brown Jug, Satin Doll,
Stompin' At the Savoy, Woodchopper's Ball

Swing Here and Now
Grade 3-4

Contains:
Chattanooga Choo Choo, I Had the Craziest Dream,
42nd Street, The More I See You, Lulu's Back In Town,
You'll Never Know, Jeepers Creepers, At Last,
September In the Rain, Serenade In Blue,
I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo, We're In the Money
 

Easy Jazz Favorites
Grade 2-2˝

A great new and economical collection of 15 of the
best arrangements from the Hal Leonard Easy Jazz
Ensemble level.
Includes: Ain't Misbehavin', All the Things You Are,
Blue Train, Caravan, Chameleon, Fly Me to the Moon,
Girl From Ipanema, In the Mood, Inside Out,
Milestones, A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square,
One Note Samba, Route 66, St Louis Blues and
When I Fall In Love. A CD is available.

Easy Jazz Classics
15 Selections
Grade 2-2˝

contains:Birdland, Born to Be Wild, Eli’s Comin’,
Here There and Everywhere, How High the Moon,
Malaguena, Night in Tunisia, Peanut Vendor,
Shake Rattle & Roll, Stompin’ at the Savoy,
String of Pearls, Summertime, Take the "A" Train,
Watch What Happens, Yardbird Suite
Tape accpt available.

Discovery Jazz Collection
15 Selections
Grade 1-1˝

contains: Basic Basie, Basin Street Blues, Blues for
Mr. B., Down for the Count, Fast Break, Hangin’ In,
Here’s that Rainy Day, How High the Moon,
Louie Louie, Mercy Mercy Mercy, My Funny
Valentine, Satin Doll, Stand By Me, Tuxedo Junction,
Woodchoppers Ball
Tape accpt available.

Discovery Jazz Favorites
15 Selections
Grade 1-1˝

contains: Beauty & the Beast, Breezin’, At the Hop,
Brain Sprain, Discover the Blues, Gimme Some Lovin",
Hound Dog, Killer Joe, Malaguena, Kiss the Girl,
Spinning Wheel, Tin Roof Blues, The Twist,
Twist & Shout, Frosty the Snowman
Tape accpt available.

First Encounter
Easy Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Arranged by Sandy Feldstein & Paul Cook - Grade 1 - 2

contains: Big Bad Bill, Blues for Bubba, C Jam Blues,
Cozy, Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me,
Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Down and Dirty,
Johnny's Blues, Mood Indigo, Rockin' Funky, Satin Latin.
Score includes CD.

Original Big Band Sounds
Grade 4

A collection of jazz ensemble arrangements that are
direct transcriptions of the original Big Band recordings
by the original artists. It contains nine selections from
such noted Big Band leaders as Glenn Miller, Tommy
Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.
contains: Don’t Be That Way, Don’t Get Around Much
Anymore, Little Brown Jug, Moonlight Serenade,
Pennsylvania 6-5000, Sing Sing Sing Part 1,
Sing Sing Sing Part 2, Stompin’ At the Savoy,
Song of India

Combo Collections

Belwin Jazz Combo Collection
arr. Dave Wolpe - Grade 3
A perfect choice for a smaller ensemble with sax, trombone,
guitar, bass drums and piano. Includes varied styles and tempos
that provide flexibility in all music settings.
Titles are: Lulu's Back in Town * How High the Moon *
Skylark * Prelude to a Kiss * Stompin' at the Savoy *
Too Close for Comfort * You Stepped Out of a Dream *
Stars Fell on Alabama * You'd be So Nice to Come Home To *
Alexander's Ragtime Band.

Essential Elements Jazz Play-Along
Jazz Standards
By Michael Sweeney & Mike Steinel

At last, a jazz play-along book for developing players!
In addition to being a perfect introduction to some of the
best-known jazz standards, this book includes hints for improvising
on each tune, a guide to jazz articulations, plus a scale/chord correlation
chart. Biographical sketches of key jazz figures are also included. And,
if that wasn't enough, each tune comes with its own sample solo for
reference or performance. The professionally recorded audio CD
also includes tempo adjustment software for use in your computer.
Includes: Now's the Time, Killer Joe, Blue Bossa, C-Jam Blues, Footprints,
Song for My Father, Autumn Leaves, Freddie Freeloader, St. Thomas and Blue Train.
Available for: Bb, Eb, C Instruments (all in one book with CD) •
Flute, F Horn, Tuba (all in one book with CD) • Rhythm Section with CD

Jazz Play Along
Each Bk/CD contains Bb, Eb and C parts

The Jazz Play Along Series is the ultimate learning tool for all
jazz musicians! With musician-friendly lead sheets, melody cues
and other split track choices on the enclosed CD, this
first-of-it’s-kind package makes learning to play jazz easier and
more fun than ever before. For study, each song includes a
split track with: Melody cue with proper style and inflection •
Professional rhythm tracks • Choruses for soloing •
Removable bass part • Removable piano part.
For Performance, each tune also has: An additional full stereo accompaniment
track (no melody) • Additional choruses for soloing
Volumes Available:

Jazz Vocal Solos          
With Combo Accompaniment
arranged by Dave Wolpe

This collection offers 10 great songs. The perfect choice
for a vocalist accompanied by a smaller ensemble with
4 horn parts and rhythm section in various styles and tempos.
Contains:
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me, Embraceable You,
How Long Has This Been Going On, The Lady Is A Tramp,
Love Is Here To Stay, The Man I Love, Moonlight In Vermont,
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Summertime,
You Do Something To Me

Jazz Combo Session           
Standard of Excellence               
by Dean Sorenson

A new collection of jazz compositions that can be played in a
wide variety of combo settings, including both wind and
string players! Designed for students who have completed
Book 2 of a band method. Tunes may be played as solos,
duets, trios or quartets as well as traditional jazz combos,
concert bands or string or full orchestra. Includes a play-along
CD in each student book. 2 mixes are included, a rhythm section
accpt featuring solo trumpet play8ing the melody and solo sax
playing the harmony, and a 2nd mix featuring the rhythm section
only so the student can play along.

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