The Don Sebesky Series

All charts come with Full Scores and parts.

The wonderful 1999 Grammy Award Winner (Best Instrumental Jazz Composition)

composed by Don Sebesky  "Joyful Noise Suite" 19:18 in length

This suite was recorded on the "Joyful Noise, a tribute to Duke Ellington" CD. It has three movements.  Each movement stands alone as a great chart, but performed together, they make an extraordinary big band presentation of the best in modern big band writing!

Every chart requires some woodwind doubling. There is also an optional French horn part throughout.

Gladly - Joyful Noise Suite (1) - Grade 5/6 - SMP 339 - $57.00

This section starts out with a cymbal roll and a "fanfare-ish" intro which leads to a wonderful, happy, hip line stated in the brass. There is solo space for drums, trumpet, trombone, bass and alto saxophone. The original recording featured Dennis Mackrel, Bob Brookmeyer, Phil Woods, Tom Harrell and Dennis Irwin. This is a terrific chart with a light, puckish melody and big, swinging shout choruses. You'll love it! Needed doubles are soprano sax, clarinet, flute and bass clarinet. 5-4-4-3 (on Demo CD 110)

Sadly - Joyful Noise Suite (2) - Grade 5/6 - SMP 340 - $57.00

Phil Woods was the featured soloist on the recording on this chart which is an alto feature for the most part. There is also a piano solo section (a la Duke) as played by Jim McNeely on the original recording. This section is set in a slow, moody feel. A beautiful melody! Bass clarinet double. 5-4-4-3 (on Demo CD 110)

Madly - Joyful Noise Suite (3) - Grade 5/6 - SMP 341- $57.00

A fitting last section to this marvelous suite. It features trombone, clarinet, flugelhorn, bass and drums. Sebesky's tribute to Ellington come to a wonderful, inspired end with this amazing music. Soprano sax doubles required. 5-4-4-3 (on Demo CD 110)

Also included on the "Joyful Noise" CD .....

Warm Valley - Duke Ellington - arr. Don Sebesky - Grade 4 - SMP 342 - $47.00

Don Sebesky has taken Ellington's melody and created a warm, sensuous chart which will be played for years to come. The ensemble voicings and colorful harmonies are set in a kind of "Li'l Darlin'-ish" type of feel. This will be a wonderful contrast on any jazz program, as the brass ranges are very easy, and the effect of the chart is very mellow and peaceful. A must for any big band library! 5-4-4-3 (on Demo CD 110)

Previous Releases

All the Things You Are - arr. Don Sebesky - SMP 237 - Grade 5 - $57.00

This chart is from the "I REMEMBER BILL - a tribute to Bill Evans " CD arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky! All of these incredible pieces require a mature band, soloists and woodwind doublers. Although these charts are not for the "faint-of-heart", they are well worth the time and effort to perform.  There has never been a more interesting or musical arrangement of this immortal Jerome Kern standard. From the "I Remember Bill - a tribute to Bill Evans" CD (RCA Victor). Give it a listen. A truly amazing and extensive excursion. Features alto saxophone. 5-4-4-3 (plus French horn) (on Demo CD 109)

Bill, not Gil - SMP 238 - Grade 5 - $57.00

This chart is from the "I REMEMBER BILL - a tribute to Bill Evans " CD arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky! All of these incredible pieces require a mature band, soloists and woodwind doublers. Although these charts are not for the "faint-of-heart", they are well worth the time and effort to perform.  An original by Don which is a wonderful, kind of quirky tune with extensive solo space. From the "I Remember Bill - a tribute to Bill Evans" CD (RCA Victor). Give it a listen. 5-4-4-3 (plus French horn) (on Demo CD 109)

Bluer Than Blue - SMP 235 - Grade 4-5 - $57.00
This could be called "Newer Than New", because Don just wrote this for John Pizzarelli's new band in New York. It's a wonderful "tour-de-force" for the entire band, with lots of "open" spots for your hot jazz players to improvise. It can serve as a great "opener" or an equally effective "closer." This is superb Sebesky, with lots of riffs, roaring ensemble passages, and just all-around great blues from top to bottom. 5-4-4-4 (on Demo CD 107)

Here is the 1998 GRAMMY AWARD WINNER for Best Instrumental Arrangement!

Waltz for Debby - arr. Don Sebesky - SMP 236 - Grade 5 - $57.00

This chart is from the "I REMEMBER BILL - a tribute to Bill Evans " CD arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky! All of these incredible pieces require a mature band, soloists and woodwind doublers. Although these charts are not for the "faint-of-heart", they are well worth the time and effort to perform.  There has never been a more interesting or musical arrangement of this immortal Bill Evans standard. From the "I Remember Bill - a tribute to Bill Evans" CD (RCA Victor). Give it a listen. A truly amazing and extensive excursion. Features tenor sax, flugelhorn and guitar solos. 5-4-4-3 (plus  French horn) (on Demo CD 109

These next four charts were written for Maynard Ferguson's Birdland Dream Band of the late 50's and early '60's.
They are great charts!

Danny Boy - arr. by Don Sebesky - SMP 401 - $42.00
If you've ever heard Maynard's recording of this world famous melody ("Londonderry Air"), you probably never forgot it! Sebesky's chart is superb, and this publication includes practical alternate choices for the trumpet feature. The piece is very playable, and will serve to showcase your "hot" trumpet soloist. (on Demo CD 103)

Fan It, Janet - by Don Sebesky - SMP 406 - $47.00
Also part of the "Message from Newport" album, this chart features tenor, trombone, and great contrapuntal writing with great changes and a terrific straight-ahead, swinging feeling. Nothing but the best from Sebesky, one of the greatest writers in jazz. (on Demo CD 103)

Humbug - by Don Sebesky - SMP 405 - $47.00
This chart starts out in a blaze of excitement and never eases off. It features tenor sax and trombone on the melody, with solo space for alto and trumpet as well. This was featured on the famous "Message from Newport" album which Maynard's band recorded for Roulette in the late '50's. (on Demo CD 103)

Sweetie Pie (Edited) - by Don Sebesky - SMP 403 - $42.00
This wonderful, quiet, "Li'l Darlin'-ish" chart was recorded by Maynard as "Easy Chair." It has a great melodic and harmonic sense that puts it in a class all its own. This version has been edited to exclude any woodwind doubles and high trumpet parts. (full score incl.) (on Demo CD 104)

Sweetie Pie (Pro version) - by Don Sebesky - SMP 403 PRO - $42.00
This wonderful, quiet, "Li'l Darlin-ish" chart was recorded by Maynard as "Easy Chair". It has a great melodic and harmonic sense that puts it in a class all its own. This version is the original, unaltered version, with flute and clarinet doubles and roaring trumpets. (full score incl.)