A Big Band Christmas: 2nd B-flat Tenor Saxophone

Strommen understands the constraint every jazz director faces in December: finding Christmas material that sounds fresh and professional without demanding weeks of rehearsal time. This medley delivers four recognizable carols in distinct jazz styles, each short enough to teach quickly but substantial enough to showcase your ensemble's swing feel and section blend.

A swing-era celebration that respects the melodies you know while dressing them in modern jazz clothes. The variety of tempos and styles keeps the energy moving and the listening experience playful rather than saccharine.

Jazz ensemble directors seeking Christmas repertoire that doesn't require substantial rehearsal time relative to its musical payoff. This arrangement works for high school and college jazz groups at the intermediate level who have a solid foundation in swing phrasing and section independence.

• Establish the groove pocket in each style shift before the full ensemble enters. The transition between tempos requires the rhythm section to lock in cleanly, so isolate those moments in sectional rehearsal first.
• Balance the melody voices against the harmonic fill-ins so the carol remains identifiable even as the jazz voicings add sophistication. Too many competing lines will bury the tune.
• Use the four-carol structure as a program anchor. This length works perfectly for a concert closer or as the centerpiece of a short holiday set without overwhelming either your students or your audience.

Build a holiday concert around this medley as your jazz ensemble's closing set, pairing it with shorter band or choral pieces to create an evening that balances tradition with contemporary energy. Alternatively, slot it into a winter concert in the second half as a tonal shift after more formal repertoire.

• Swing phrasing and rhythmic precision across multiple tempos
• Melodic clarity when jazz harmonies surround the tune
• Sectional blend and balance within jazz voicings
• Quick style adaptation (shifting feel and articulation between arrangements)
• Rhythmic cooperation between rhythm section and ensemble