Jazz Vocal Solos with Combo Accompaniment: Trombone Book

Wolpe's trombone arrangements sit firmly in the sweet spot between accessibility and musicality. The combo instrumentation keeps rehearsals manageable while the song selection spans essential jazz standards that students will actually want to play. The writing gives the trombone real melodic and harmonic responsibility without overwhelming players at this level.

Sophisticated and swinging. The arrangements honor the Swing Era while keeping the texture lean enough for a combo setting. These standards have a conversational quality; the trombone moves naturally alongside the vocalist, trading space and sharing the story the song tells.

Intermediate plus trombonists who've moved beyond basic jazz feel and are ready to handle the harmonic density and rhythmic precision of classic standards. This book works equally well for high school jazz bands seeking a vocal-friendly collection and college small ensembles building a working jazz repertoire.

• Lock into the rhythm section's pocket from the first rehearsal. These are jazz standards, not classical transcriptions, so let the drums and bass establish the groove before worrying about polish.
• Use the vocal line as a reference for phrasing, not a competition. Your job is to complement the singer's interpretation, which means matching breath points and emotional contours.
• Invest time in swing eighths early. The feel of these tunes depends entirely on your section committing to the articulation and relaxed timing that defines the style.
• Tune carefully during rests. Jazz combos expose intonation issues quickly, especially in the close voicings of standards like Embraceable You and Love Is Here to Stay.

Program a full set from this collection as a jazz concert feature, pairing the combo with a vocalist or alternating singers across multiple tunes. The familiar standards make excellent undergraduate recital material and give student combos a professional-sounding songbook without requiring a full big band. This collection also works well as a sight-reading resource throughout the year.

• Swing eighth-note articulation and feel
• Reading chord changes and jazz harmonies
• Ensemble listening and rhythmic precision in a rhythm section context
• Phrasing to complement a melody line and vocal interpretation
• Jazz improvisation opportunities on known standards
• Intonation control in close-voiced combo writing