Can't decide which tunes you want on your winter concert? Solve the problem instantly with this collection of holiday favorites all in one chart! Extremely easy with several interesting twists to make this more appealing for your group and the audience as well. Perfect for your first year jazz ensemble.
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Ken Mattis understands what first-year jazz ensembles need: accessible voicings that don't sound dumbed-down, and enough musical interest to keep both players and listeners engaged. His arrangements respect the genre conventions of jazz while keeping the technical demands reasonable, so your group can focus on developing tone, ensemble blend, and the rhythmic confidence that jazz requires.
What to expect
Warm, accessible, and playful. These arrangements honor holiday melodies while infusing them with jazz vocabulary—walking bass lines, simple comping, and a relaxed swing feel that sounds musical rather than mechanical. The collection invites your audience to enjoy familiar songs while showcasing your ensemble's growing command of jazz style.
Who it's for
First-year jazz ensemble directors who want to program recognizable holiday music without oversimplifying the genre. Musicians new to jazz phrasing, swing rhythm, and ensemble listening will find these arrangements supportive and rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
Establish a steady swing feel before the ensemble joins; have your rhythm section lock the groove during sectionals, then layer in horns once the pulse is solid.
Balance the jazz blend by mixing Grade 1 voicings with unison or octave passages that give younger players confidence and space to listen to each other.
Use the holiday theme to encourage lighter articulation and phrasing; these arrangements invite playfulness without sacrificing musicality.
Highlight the "interesting twists" in each arrangement by having soloists or small sections stand out; ask students to identify what makes each tune distinctive before rehearsal.
How to use it
Program this as your winter concert centerpiece or as a concert-opening suite that sets an upbeat, festive tone. The collection works especially well for school assemblies, community performances, or informal holiday concerts where you want to celebrate both the season and your ensemble's developing jazz skills.
Skills your students will build
Swing rhythm and jazz articulation
Reading jazz chord charts and walking bass patterns
Ensemble listening and blend in a jazz context
Playing with jazz phrasing and dynamics
Responding to a jazz rhythm section's comping and groove
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