Best of Discovery Jazz – Review

REVIEW 11/2010

Hal Leonard

Best of Discovery Jazz

The Best Of Discovery Jazz – Hal Leonard Corp.  2005 – $19.95 for full score, $9.95 for piano, $4.95 for parts and $14.95 for CD.  II.  MS.  III.  15 Jazz band charts.  VI. Individual.

The Best Of Discovery Jazz is an outstanding collection of 15 jazz and rock band charts at the grade 1 and 2 levels) for the developing jazz ensemble which are easier arrangements than the The Best Of Easy Jazz collection.

The charts are playable with 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone and rhythm section. The 15 jazz tunes respect classics that will never go out-of-date with such selections as “Mood Indigo,”  “April in Paris,” “Mission : Impossible Theme,” “A String of Pearls,” “Tangerine,” “Tequila” and others.

Ranges are modest and are well scored for ensemble efficiency.  Instrumentation is certainly a plus for incomplete instrumentation with optional parts for tenor 2, bari . sax, trumpet 3, trombones 2 and 3, bass and guitar.

Arrangers for this collection are Michael Sweeney, Jerry Nowak, Peter Blair and John Berry which provides some interesting arrangements when compared to just one arranger.

The score is spiral bounded with a strong cardboard cover. Both collections are outstanding musically and represent an economical way to purchase jazz band charts for the middle school level with 15 charts per collection. Score, 144 pp.

Hal Leonard
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Web: www.halleonard.com