Christmas Jazzin' About for Trumpet: Trumpet and Piano Book

Wedgwood's gift for embedding real jazz feels into accessible writing shines here. The syncopation never feels forced, the riffs sit naturally on the trumpet, and the piano accompaniment sounds like actual jazz comping rather than classical chord-playing. Christmas Jazzin' About delivers holiday programming that sounds fresh and genuinely cool.

Like stepping into a warmly lit jazz club on a December evening. These pieces swing with energy and style while keeping the comfort of beloved carols close. Some arrangements feel hip and current; others are nostalgic in the best way. Throughout, there's a sense of celebration that's musical, not forced.

Trumpet players with solid note-reading skills and a growing interest in contemporary styles. These arrangements assume a foundation in single-staff reading and basic rhythmic vocabulary but open the door to jazz phrasing and syncopation without requiring prior jazz study. The piano part scales to intermediate level, making this accessible for community or school band contexts.

• Build the swing feel gradually. Lock into the piano's rhythmic pocket before worrying about style or dynamics; the groove anchors everything else.
• Shape the riffs with confidence. These aren't melodies to cradle softly; commit to the articulation and let the syncopation do its work.
• Use the familiarity of the carols as your foundation for interpretation. Once the student owns the tune, space opens up for playing with the style and phrasing that defines jazz.
• Notice where Wedgwood shifts the harmonic flavor. Several pieces move between straight-ahead jazz and nostalgic feels; those transitions should be audible but smooth.

Slot these into winter concerts for a contemporary opener or closer that stands apart from traditional holiday arrangements. A single piece works as an encore; the full collection shapes a distinctive pops program segment. Consider pairing one or two selections with classical holiday material to show students the same melody can speak in radically different musical languages.

• Swing articulation and eighth-note feel
• Syncopated rhythm reading, especially across the bar line
• Jazz phrasing and space between notes
• Listening responsively to piano accompaniment and adjusting tone color accordingly
• Stylistic interpretation within a notated score