First Year Charts Collection for Jazz Ensemble: Horn in F (Doubles 1st Trombone Part) Book

Twelve snapshots of jazz life: you'll swing hard on a classic jump tune, float through a slinky ballad, lock into a Latin groove, and then land squarely in rock and pop territory. The horn voice adds richness and warmth throughout, especially on the slower charts where that mellow brass tone becomes the emotional core.

Horn players in beginning jazz ensembles who want real integration into the section rather than a trombone shadow part. This book is ideal for bands with intermediate jazz experience (at least one year in) that want to expand their instrumentation options without rebuilding existing arrangements.

• Balance your tone to sit between the trombone section and the trumpets. You're not reinforcing trombone; you're adding a warmer midrange color to the ensemble.
• Work through the written-out solo sections first to lock in the rhythmic phrasing before attempting any improvisation, especially on swing charts where jazz articulation matters.
• Mark your part clearly where you're doubling versus where you have independent voicing, so you know exactly when to blend tightly and when to let your voice ring through.
• Listen to the conductor's CD recording to hear how the horn part sits in the full mix, particularly on ballads where a single horn voice carries real weight.

Use these as your primary jazz ensemble repertoire for a season or concert series, programming by style or tempo to create pacing variety. The included holiday chart fits naturally into a winter concert, while "Loosen Up" serves as an effective opener for any jazz performance or as a rehearsal warm-up that doubles as a performance piece.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing in swing, ballad, and Latin feels
• Reading written-out solo sections and understanding jazz melodic vocabulary
• Blending within a trombone section while maintaining distinct horn tone color
• Listening to chord changes and responding to rhythm section cues
• Time feel and rhythmic precision across multiple tempos and styles