Broadway by Special Arrangement: Trombone/Baritone/Bassoon Book & CD

Strommen's arrangements deliver the swagger and harmonic sophistication of Broadway jazz without requiring students to navigate improvisation. The written solos are fully realized, allowing intermediate players to sound polished and stylistically authentic on their first read. These 11 standards are standards for a reason, and having them arranged for a lower brass choir that can blend with woodwinds opens real programming possibilities.

Each arrangement captures the elegance and nostalgia of its source material while dressing it in clean, contemporary jazz voicings. The writing sits comfortably in intermediate ranges and lets the harmonies do the talking, creating arrangements that feel authoritative and genuinely musical rather than simplified.

Intermediate lower brass players (trombonists, baritone horn players, and bassoonists) who want to explore jazz-influenced repertoire without the cognitive load of learning improvisation. This book is ideal for ensemble sectionals, solo recital programming, or as a foundation before introducing genuine improvisation study.

• Commit to the legit phrasing in the opening statements before the jazz feel takes hold. The style shift from show tune to jazz arrangement is intentional, and clarity on that transition keeps the arrangement from feeling derivative.
• Balance the variations between parts carefully. Since all three books are compatible, confirm with your ensemble which instruments are playing the solo and which are supporting; this changes dramatically section to section.
• Lean into the swing feel with precision rather than looseness. These aren't true jazz etudes, so the rhythm section groove matters most. Lock the time before worrying about individual phrasing.

Consider pairing one or two selections with more traditional concert band repertoire to create a jazz standards set within a larger concert. The compatibility across the three books (trombone/baritone/bassoon, trumpet, and other voice parts) means you can program these as a feature ensemble number with support from mixed instrumentation, creating a flexible programming option that appeals to students and audiences alike.

• Reading jazz articulation and phrasing conventions
• Playing with swing rhythms and feel
• Interpreting written jazz solos with stylistic authenticity
• Blending in ensemble with mixed instrumentation using compatible arrangements
• Understanding how popular song melodies function within jazz harmonic contexts