Young Jazz Ensemble Collection: 2nd Trombone Book

This collection captures the energy of a small jazz club and the intimacy of a standard ballad, rotating between upbeat grooves and thoughtful arrangements where every voice matters. The written solos give you moments to shine, while the full ensemble passages create the bright, cohesive sound of a working jazz band.

Second trombone players in beginning to intermediate jazz ensembles who are ready to engage with real jazz repertoire and want parts that are musically rewarding rather than merely accompaniment. Students tackling their first exposure to swing, ballad, and contemporary jazz styles will find accessible yet substantial material that builds genuine jazz literacy.

• Listen closely to the rhythm section's interpretation of the written suggestions, especially on swing tunes where the feel directly affects your articulation and phrasing.
• In the ballads like "Misty" and "On Green Dolphin Street," the second trombone often carries harmonic depth; shape your tone to support the lead voice without pushing forward.
• Study the written solos before ensemble rehearsals so you understand the solo form and can respond musically during full section passages.
• On Latin and rock charts, lock your rhythmic placement with the third trombone; your parts move together frequently and precision here anchors the brass section.

Select two or three contrasting arrangements for a jazz concert program to showcase your ensemble's range within a single performance. The holiday chart works naturally in December programming, while the swing standards and contemporary pieces (like "Jungle Boogie" and "Take Five") pair well for a mixed jazz recital or community concert where you want to demonstrate both tradition and variety.

• Reading and performing jazz articulation in swing, ballad, and straight-eighth contexts
• Responding to written solo sections and understanding jazz form
• Matching tone and rhythmic placement with section partners in close voicings
• Interpreting rhythm section suggestions and adjusting phrasing based on groove
• Performing in 5/4 time signature and mixed meter passages
• Building harmonic awareness through sustained and moving second trombone parts