Authentic Sounds of the Big Band Era: 1st Trombone Book

Stepping into these parts is like joining a conversation that's been going on for nearly a century. The melody lines swing with purpose, the section writing creates real ensemble texture, and the variety across 16 standards keeps every rehearsal engaging.

Intermediate to advanced jazz ensemble trombonists who want to build their repertoire with authentic big band charts. This book works equally well for players working through a full big band or for those studying the literature on their own.

• Balance your tone between the sectional punch needed behind the saxophones and the singing quality required when you're carrying the melody. These charts shift between both roles constantly.
• Pay close attention to the rhythmic placement of syncopated figures, especially in the swing numbers. The difference between laying back and pushing ahead is everything in this music.
• Tailor your vibrato width to match the style of each tune. Fast, tight vibrato works for uptempo jumpers like 'One O'Clock Jump,' while a wider, slower vibrato serves the ballad passages in pieces like 'Moonlight Serenade.'

Feature your first trombone soloist on one of the melody-forward pieces like 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' or 'So Rare' during a jazz concert, or build an entire program around these charts to showcase your ensemble's command of authentic swing style.

• Reading swing rhythms and syncopated phrasing
• Balancing lead playing with section cohesion
• Navigating jazz articulation and tonguing styles
• Interpreting vibrato and tone color choices within genre conventions
• Understanding the harmonic function of first trombone lines in big band voicings