J.J. Johnson

• J.J. Johnson's Centennial!

  January 22, 2024, is the centennial of legendary trombonist and composer J.J. Johnson. To celebrate, we're making two transcriptions available from his 1966 big band album "The Total J.J. Johnson". Say When and Short-Cake are concise, lyrical songs originally recorded as melody and solo features for J.J. Our transcriptions show his melody and solo as well as a few notable lead lines of the big band arrangement.

  We have six more J.J. Johnson compositions currently available on jazzleadsheets.com, with many more coming soon. Two of these come from his 1956 quintet album "J Is For Jazz": Cube Steak, a bright uptempo blues with a pedal point interlude, and Naptown U.S.A., a simple head on the changes of the standard Indiana. Also based on a standard is Commutation, a riff on Charlie Parker's Confirmation that J.J. recorded twice, the second time as a drum feature. NWPT and Tromboniums In Motion, both "rhythm changes" heads, were first recorded by J.J.'s two-trombone quintet with Kai Winding. These and the two from "J Is For Jazz" are all available in quintet arrangements with 1st and 2nd horn parts. Finally, we have Enigma, originally recorded in 1953 by Miles Davis and one of J.J.'s most memorable ballads.

• Joy Spring, new composers and more hits

  Many people have enjoyed the solo transcriptions of Clifford Brown on his classic composition "Joy Spring," but we've often been asked where the lead sheets are. Until now, you've only been able to purchase the arrangement through Second Floor Music's sheet music affiliates, but we've now made individual lead sheets available for everyone in the original key in honor of the 61st anniversary of the septet recording. On top of that, we're adding two new composers this week: tenor saxophonist Ernie Wilkins and pianist Eddie Higgins. With additions to the Piano Corner, Bass Corner, and new quintet arrangements, this update may just raise the temperature a little more on this hot July week.

  CLIFFORD BROWN: Joy Spring

  The classic bop standard -- now available in the original key, plus Clifford Brown's trumpet solo from the septet recording.

  J.J. JOHNSON: NWPT

  Rhythm changes with a twist. Original quintet arrangement available.

  DON PATTERSON & SONNY STITT: Aries

  A laid-back, swinging ballad in two keys.

  GRACHAN MONCUR: Thandiwa

  A quirky waltz with first and second parts available.

  ERNIE WILKINS: Far Out East

  This bop melody has a serious swing.

  EDDIE HIGGINS: Shinjuku Twilight

  Charming and sweet with Japanese flair.

  RONNIE MATHEWS: John Charles

  A post-bop blues that features the bass.

  RONNIE MATHEWS: Salima's Dance

  Blues-like, with an even-8ths 3/4 groove. Solo Piano Arrangement available.

  RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK: Funk Underneath

  A simple laid-back riff blues.

  Plus, celebrate Hank Mobley's birthday (this past Tuesday, July 7) by checking out our extensive catalog of Hank Mobley lead sheets.

   

• Hot this summer: new composers and big changes

  

  We’re gearing up for some exciting new changes. In late summer/early fall 2014, you’ll be seeing an entirely new look for jazzleadsheets.com, with completely new, intuitive browsing features; a modern, responsive design; and best of all, mobile capabilities — so you can find the music you love no matter where you are! Don’t worry about your account information: it will be migrated over to the new website. We can’t wait to see you over there!

  In order to maintain the quality of service you’ve come to expect from us, we’ll be raising our prices with the launch of the new website. We’ve always tried to keep our prices low so as many musicians as possible can enjoy playing our music. But as we keep expanding, we’ve outgrown our current website and need the resources to continue growing and developing this wonderful music. The increase in prices will also support our composers and allow us to start initiatives to promote and produce jazz in new ways while still maintaining accurate, clear, and beautiful lead sheets at a price everyone can enjoy. This fall, keep an eye out for new practice tools, exclusive audio releases, and a rhythm section workshop. With all these great resources and ways to share them, there’s never been a better time to be a jazzleadsheets.com supporter.

  What’s hot this summer?

  The temperature has been blazing at our office and the music has been just as steamy. We've got three new composers joining our roster, adding to our growing list of contemporary jazz artists with exciting modern music. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true jazzleadsheets.com update without a nod to our classic composers, so start off your summer sets with a pick from the venerable J.J. Johnson: Commutation.

  Wayne Escoffery
  The newly appointed winner of Downbeat’s Critic’s Poll for Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist joins us with a unique and enrapturing composition. Tell Me Why is sure to renew your set list with its elaborate layers that combine to create a beautiful, sweeping exploration.

  Grant Stewart
  Hot enough for you? Maybe it’s time to sip on a bit of this Scotch Thing, a supremely cool, relaxed, slow swing. Our editions include lead sheets from two recordings so you can see how the composition adapts to different arrangements. Why not try them both and compare?

  David Hazeltine
  Our last update welcomed two members of the hard-bop collective One For All, Eric Alexander and Jim Rotondi. Now their accomplished pianist joins us with two exciting compositions. Intended to be played in unison, both One For Peter and Pete’s Sake will challenge your combo to coordinate and work together on quick, bop-influenced lines. Get ready for a wild ride!

  Focus On Bass

  Are you a bass player, or do you know one who’s looking to get some shedding? Our two David Hazeltine pieces were inspired by the great Peter Washington and both feature full transcriptions of everything he plays on the tracks. Any bass lover should be sure to check out One For Peter and Pete’s Sake! Not enough bass for you? Scotch Thing has a bass solo transcription of Peter Washington as well!

  Keep playing the music!

  photo credit: ataferner via photopin cc

• Lots of news for the new year!

  Have you noticed all the latest developments on jazzleadsheets.com? 2014 has barely begun, but it’s already proving to be a huge year for us! If you haven’t been on our site in a while, check it out — you’ll see some new categories, with even more exciting changes to come as the year goes on.

  At the beginning of this month, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of Blue Note Records’ first session with the releases of Melancholy and Solitude, both from that historic January 6, 1939 date. But our celebration of the long partnership between our composers and Blue Note Records is far from complete! We’re introducing our Blue Note collection. Now you can easily find all of the compositions that have been featured on Blue Note releases throughout the years. But even more good news — we’ll be adding to this collection every month to celebrate more anniversaries throughout the year!

  This release, we have several anniversaries to celebrate, which means of course another set of top quality lead sheets. January 19th saw the 46th anniversary of a great Hank Mobley session that culminated with the release of “Reach Out!” In honor of Hank (and all of his fans at jazzleadsheets.com), we’re commemorating this anniversary with Lookin’ East, a laid-back medium groove piece with a bit of Latin flavor. Second parts available.

  The next day, January 20th, marked the 52nd anniversary of a lesser-known release: saxophonist Ike Quebec’s “Easy Living,” featuring Congo Lament by Bennie Green. This composition also has a Latin influence — maybe a touch more than Lookin’ East — and features a nice bluesy lick for the melody. Second parts available.

  Just a few days later we celebrated the 64th anniversary of the recording of Kenny Drew’s Fuguetta (Jan. 23rd, 1950). Originally recorded by trumpeter Howard McGhee, Fuguetta is an unexpected combination of Baroque and bebop, which go together surprisingly well. Try it for yourself and see!

  With all that celebrating, we thought we’d add a couple of ballads to cool us off. First, we’re introducing J.J. Johnson to the jazzleadsheets.com family with his classic ballad Enigma. Many musicians are familiar with the way Miles Davis recorded it, but only at jazzleadsheets.com can you find the original leadsheet, drawn from J.J.’s own manuscript and notated the way he first heard it. We’re very excited to offer this exclusive look inside such a tender, lyrical ballad.

  Finally, a treat for vocalists and their accompanists: Rob Bargad’s Another World. This sensitive, dreamy 20-bar ballad comes complete with an accompaniment-only track so singers can practice along with a professional ensemble to back them up. After you hear Dena DeRose’s plaintive rendition of it, we’re sure you’ll want to try it yourself.

4 Items