Best of Belwin Jazz: Jazz Band Collection for Jazz Ensemble: 2nd Trombone Book

Moving through classic American jazz standards and original swing pieces that feel both grounded and spirited. The medium difficulty sits in that sweet spot where the ensemble can focus on phrasing, section blend, and time feel rather than scrambling to hit the notes. Ballads bring space for tone work; uptempo charts bring energy and precision.

Second trombone players in high school and community jazz ensembles working at a solid intermediate level who want to build independence and range in a big band setting. Directors building a collection of Grade 3 arrangements that challenge students without overwhelming them and offer enough variety to sustain interest across a rehearsal or concert season.

• Balance your tone with the first trombone and bass trombones to create a cohesive section sound; don't slide into the role of purely supporting the lead.
• Mark the style changes between swing, ballad, and jazz-rock pieces so you adjust your articulation and phrasing accordingly rather than applying one approach to all ten charts.
• Listen to the conductor book recordings while studying your part to understand how your line sits within the full ensemble voicing and where your material carries the harmonic movement.

Build a full concert program around this collection alone, rotating through different styles across your setlist. Mix three to four pieces from the book with student solos or feature your section on a piece like "Jumpin' at the Woodside" to showcase how well-arranged medium-level music can sound when ensemble fundamentals are solid.

• Swing style articulation and phrasing across multiple tempos
• Reading and balancing independent harmonic lines within a section
• Listening for and adjusting tone to blend with first trombone and bass voices
• Interpreting style markings and tempo variations specific to jazz (ballad rubato, jazz-rock subdivision)
• Building range and flexibility required for big band ensemble playing