Big John's Special: Score
By Horace Henderson / arr. David Berger
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PR-0005426
$9.00
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Description
This is a great chart! Arranger David Berger is one of the masters at transcription and/or adaptation of swing era jazz charts. Big John's Special was composed by Horace Henderson with a light airy feel but plenty of snap and energy throughout. Solos are written-out for 2nd trumpet, 3rd trumpet and 1st alto. It is a hot chart correlated to the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz For Young People™ curriculum. (3:19)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Big John's Special: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz for Young People Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
114
SKU:
00-PR-0005426
More about this title
About the Composer: Horace Henderson
Horace Henderson (1904-1988) was a pianist, composer, and arranger who shaped the sound of big band swing alongside his more famous brother Fletcher Henderson. Working primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, Horace composed and arranged for leading ensembles including Count Basie's orchestra, bringing a lighter, more accessible approach to swing writing while maintaining the genre's sophistication and groove. His charts remain essential repertoire for understanding swing era arranging techniques and the melodic clarity that made swing music so enduring.
Why we love this
David Berger's transcription captures the buoyant spirit of Henderson's original while remaining completely playable for a school jazz ensemble. The written-out solos for trumpet section and alto saxophone give students authentic swing language to study and perform, making this chart both immediately rewarding and educationally substantive.
What to expect
Big John's Special swings with a light, unburdened energy. There's snap in the phrasing and lift in the ensemble figures, but never heaviness or strain. The tune breathes and bounces, inviting performers and listeners alike into the elegance of swing era composition where clarity and groove coexist effortlessly.
Who it's for
This chart belongs in any grade 3 jazz ensemble curriculum, whether your students are experienced improvisers or just beginning to explore the swing idiom. The written solos make it accessible for developing players while the Berger orchestration demands the precision and blend that builds ensemble maturity.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the ensemble so the written solos cut through clearly; the trumpet section solos need space to shine without overwhelming the rhythm section or background figures
- Lock the rhythm section first, especially the groove in the walking bass and ride cymbal, before layering in the horn parts
- Approach the airy sections with light articulation and relaxed phrasing; this isn't about blasting through the chart but letting the swing feel breathe
- Use the original recording or the accompaniment track to internalize the time feel and ensemble balance before relying solely on the written score
How to use it
Place this on a concert celebrating the roots of American jazz, pairing it with other swing era classics from the Jazz for Young People curriculum. It works equally well as a centerpiece of a jazz concert or as part of a broader program exploring the evolution from big band swing to modern jazz.
Skills your students will build
- Playing written swing solos with authentic phrasing and articulation
- Reading and balancing written figures against improvised background parts
- Ensemble swing time feel and groove maintenance
- Dynamics and blend within a section (trumpet section and reed section independence)
- Understanding swing era composition and arranging principles through performance