Jazz Ensemble Music
2022-2023
Dear Music Educators,
Kidder Music is proud to be participating with Excelcia Music Publishing and affiliated brands as an Excelcia Select Dealer.
We are working diligently to offer you high quality and inspiring music for the start of the 2022-2023 school year and we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll love inside this beautiful new digital catalog. With a catalog of inspiring composers, both familiar and new, you will be able to find music to fit any of your ensemble or concert needs. Discover extensive resources that bring you inside the music like ScoreVideos with professional live recordings and Composer Insights videos where you hear about the music directly from the composer. You can also find our music on all streaming platforms, bringing a new level of educational resources right into your classroom.
We are very excited about this catalog of music, and we know you will be too. All of us at Kidder Music and Excelcia Music Publishing wish you the very best for the upcoming school year.
Sincerely,
Kidder Music
Odyssey Jazz Ensemble Series - 2022-2023
Grade 1
That's What!
As you can guess from the title, this is a modal jazz chart that uses the same basic structure as the Miles Davis classic So What. After the initial presentation of the tune there is an excellent development section that builds on melodic fragments to create a great send off for the solo section. A fun shout chorus caps off the composition with a captivating “down” ending.
OJE2201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Bossa Suave
Here’s a classy way to introduce the important Bossa Nova style to your younger players. Very playable but filled with subtle dynamic shadings that are usually found only in more advanced charts. The winds introduce the melody in unison followed by a harmonized Saxophone soli. The bridge includes fresh harmonic ideas and a flowing legato melody in the brass.
OJE2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Da Bump
Get your James Brown groove on with this easy funk chart your band will love! It is filled with memorable Sax licks and punchy brass. The rhythm section will really be able to dig into the well written funk figures that sound great. Get down and get funky!
OJE2203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Exploration Jazz Ensemble Series - 2022-2023
Grade 1.5
Up Jumped Swing
This is a catchy blues with a bridge from respected composer and educator Jack Cooper. Interesting angular lines abound in this unique chart along with inventive rhythmic elements. Stark dynamic contrasts throughout the chart go from a whisper to a roar to keep the band and the audience engaged. Great as a selection for a festival as well as being a terrific chart to teach form.
EJE2201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Good King Wenceslas
Arranged by Jack Cooper
Set a festive holiday mood with this sophisticated Bossa Nova setting of Good King Wenceslas. Jack has dressed up the traditional carol with a fresh set of chord changes and a nice modulation to keep the chart interesting. This is an excellent choice for any winter/holiday concert.
EJE2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Java Samba
This is a great chart that combines a Chuck Mangione style for the first section with a Sonny Rollins island feel at the “B” section. This would be an excellent choice as a contrast tune for a concert or festival. Following the breezy solo section there is a 16-measure passage that features the winds with simple Hi-hat time.
EJE2203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
The Funky Dreidel
Arranged by Jamie Roth
Spice up your holiday concert with this funk version of the traditional Dreidel Song. There are some great Bass and Bari Sax lines that your players can dig into and plenty of punchy brass. The middle section is a beautiful chorale that is an excellent contrast to the funk feel.
EJE2204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
I'm Getting Rhythm
A funky rock chart with attitude, this piece is good-naturedly dedicated to that one person in the band who makes everyone late as their friends chant “we gotta go” in exasperation.
EJE2205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Horizon Jazz Ensemble Series - 2022-2023
Grade 2-2.5
Righteous Refrains
Arranged by Anthony Susi
Composer and educator Anthony Susi weaves several traditional spirituals together in a swinging medley that stays in one tempo throughout. The chart starts with a Gene Krupa style drum solo that breaks into a joyous swing at measure 21. The Krupa style returns with the tune “Wade in the Water” that is cleverly partnered with the “Jericho” melody. There is a call and response section between the Saxes and Brass that leads to an eight-bar solo section over easy changes.
HJE2201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
All is Calm, All is Bright
Silent Night
Arranged by Blair Bielawski
This beautifully arranged version of the classic Silent Night features unique and colorful harmony to accompany the carol in a refreshing new setting. The ensemble is featured throughout…no improvisation is required. The cascading lines in the brass close out the chart with a dramatic flair.
HJE2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
(My, My, My) My Fedora
Long known for his writing for upper-level groups, Kris Berg turns loose his creative talents on this easy funk-rock composition. Great rhythm section writing, solid scoring throughout and creative and fresh harmonic ideas set this chart apart from the pack. Your band will have a blast with this one!
HJE2203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Secret Mission
This is “spy rock” at its best! Jamie Roth weaves all the familiar melodic and harmonic material of spy themed TV and movie music together in this sensational easy jazz chart. This will be an entertaining and fun selection for home concerts and other events.
HJE2204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
The Blues are Gonna Get Ya
This chart comes out of the gate swinging with a solid, punchy brass line. The distinctive harmonic structure of the first few choruses is definitely more than just I - IV – V, but the melody is very straight forward. After the Trumpets take a turn with the melody, the Saxes follow with a wonderfully harmonized version of the tune and then echo the opening brass figure. There is a great soft section that will demonstrate your ensemble’s dynamic range. If you need something a little “outside the box” this piece is worth a look.
HJE2205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00
Voyage Jazz Ensemble Series - 2022-2023
Grade 3-3.5
Swing Power
A winning combination: swing, a bit of gospel, a dash of pop and a catchy hook…this chart brings it all together with a contemporary flair. Originally written for Steve Zegree and Gold Company, this is a really fun swinger for the contemporary jazz ensemble. Be sure to stay tuned for the energetic ending!
VJE2201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Belly Ache Blues
“Down and dirty” is the best way to describe this gritty blues chart. Dripping with triplets, this is sure to be a band favorite. As you have come to expect from composer Peter Sciaino, this chart has a lot of dynamic contrasts and features solid ensemble writing throughout. There is a solo for Trumpet that is begging for a plunger mute as well as a written solo for Alto Sax. The band can let loose on the exciting shout chorus that leads to a dynamite ending.
VJE2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
The Path Left Behind
A beautiful and lush ballad that features the ensemble is a rare gem at this level and David Samuel has crafted an elegant example with The Path Left Behind. Smooth, flowing lines that seamlessly melt together create a wonderful sonic landscape. There is a solo for Tenor Sax that is supported by the rhythm section and tasteful brass writing. This is a sophisticated chart that will showcase the dramatic aspects of the whole ensemble.
VJE2203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
The Boulevard
Inspired by the crossover titles from the classic Blue Note era of the 1960s, composer and educator Peter Sciaino has come up with a unique latin-rock chart that has a great Bass groove and an infectious rhythmic drive. There is a lot of interplay between the wind sections and some interesting harmonic twists along the way. Solo space is for Alto Sax 1 and Trumpet 2. The shout chorus features several layers of sound that build to a dramatic conclusion.
VJE2204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Gottaluvit
Steve Wiest
Adapted by Blair Bielawski
This grooving funk tune was written by Steve Wiest and recorded by the great horn band Vinyl Hampdin on their first album, “Red”. The chart is bursting with energy and is filled with horn lines paying tribute to Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago. Your Guitar player gets a chance to show off with the cool sounding (yet easy to play) opening lick. There is an Alto Sax solo over blues-tinged changes that includes a clever stop time section. Like the title says: Gottaluvit!
VJE2205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Zenith Jazz Ensemble Series - 2022-2023
Grade 4 & Up
Outback Blues
Veteran composer Carl Strommen pulls out all the stops on this swinging blues. It starts with a gentle murmur and quickly builds to a rumbling thunder of backbeats. The heart of the chart is a fantastic Saxophone soli that sounds great and lays well for all the players. There is also a terrific “winds only” section that will shine a spotlight on the Saxes and Brass.
ZJE2201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Playing with Fire
We are pleased to welcome young composer Christopher Artau to the Excelcia jazz catalog. This is a great latin-rock chart ideal for festivals. Plenty of tight ensemble work and a dazzling Guitar lead line in the style of Carlos Santana will wow the listener. The chart is solid from top to bottom with a splashy ending that will bring any performance to an exuberant close.
ZJE2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Cross Roads
Composer Kris Berg has knocked one out of the park with this sleek and contemporary new festival chart. From the first rhythmic punctuation to the final dramatic chord this piece just sparkles with energy and excitement. Kris has combined intricate moving lines with interesting and creative harmony. Motivic development, rhythmic displacement, counterpoint and extended form and orchestration techniques are on full display in this great new festival chart.
ZJE2203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00
Voando em uma Vespa
Flyin' on a Vespa
This is the real deal! An authentic Brazilian Samba from respected educator and composer Michele Fernández. The rhythm section parts are completely and carefully notated and the articulations and specific dynamic markings in the wind parts will help to make this an awesome experience for your band. Also included with the set are optional parts for Flute and Vibes. A challenging chart that is well worth the effort.
ZJE2204 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50.00