Exciting Sounds of the Big Band Era: 2nd Trombone Book

Propulsive, warm, and grounded. These tunes carry the swagger of the big band swing era, and the second trombone sits right in the pocket where you feel the groove without chasing flashy runs. Ballads like "In a Mist" and "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" give you room to shape long phrases with expression.

Second trombone players in school and community jazz ensembles who need solid material that lets them develop their voice without requiring advanced range flexibility. This book works for intermediate to advancing players learning the language of swing jazz repertoire and building comfort within an ensemble texture.

• Lock your attacks with the bass trombone or tuba to anchor the harmonic foundation; swing ensemble balance depends on the low brass locking in before the section commits.
• Listen across the trombone section for blend on long tones, especially in ballads like "At Last." The second trombone voice carries weight in the mid-range, so your tone consistency affects the whole section's color.
• Emphasize the syncopation on figures like "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and "Taking a Chance on Love." Second trombone often doubles the rhythmic pocket rather than solos, so precision and pocket awareness matter as much as technique.
• Bring confidence to sections marked with busier lines; your part shouldn't shrink during ensemble passages just because you're not the lead voice.

Use selections from this book to build a jazz ensemble repertoire that respects sectional balance and player development. Mix it into a concert program celebrating swing standards, or pull individual tunes for concert openers and set transitions. The 36-page range means you can rotate through several pieces across a school year without burning through the material too quickly.

• Reading jazz articulation and phrasing conventions
• Blending within a trombone section (with 1st and 3rd trombone parts)
• Balancing harmonic support against the ensemble rhythm section
• Interpreting swing eighth-note feel and syncopation
• Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality in a section context
• Navigating moderate tempos and rhythmic figures typical of big band arranging