Progressive jazz improvisation for flexible classroom ensembles, for composing, performing and listening. National Curriculum Key Stages 1–4.

Classroom Small Band Jazz presents a unique format for learning the art of improvisation and die fundamentals of melody, harmony and rhythm. Each of the four books contains eight pieces – a colourful suite and four additional numbers – which are recorded in full on CD and printed in score. You also get the same performance with chordal and rhythmic backing only, bass and backing stereo left, drums stereo right. This way round, you provide the ‘head’ melodies, the accompanying lines, and most exciting of all, the solo improvisations. Moreover, the simple division of the music into lead melody, backing and bass means that any instrument – keyboard, melodic (including B flat instruments) or tuned percussion – can find a role for itself within the music, and have a chance to shine in solos.

The score and parts for Book 1 are now available for download only. Books 2, 3 and 4 will be available shortly.