Jazz Ensemble Ballads

Composed in 1939, this popular standard features an amazingly tuneful melody and lush chords. Perfectly suited to the little big band format, this ballad is a perfect change of pace.

Here is a mysterious, richly scored ballad composed in the Cuban bolero style and featuring a solo flugelhorn. This piece is great to slow things down and show the more expressive side of your ensemble at

One of the most famous of all Dave Brubeck works, this ballad has been recorded by such luminaries as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Wes Montgomery. Set here in an easy flowing swing style,

Here's the stunning hit single from the movie "A Star Is Born" recorded by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. This chart for younger players features a rock ballad style, solid scoring for the entire ensemble,

Sammy Nestico pays tribute to his long-time friend and trombone icon, Bill Watrous, with this touching trombone solo feature of Mancini's Too Little Time from the soundtrack of the 1954 film "The

Long recognized as the signature song for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, here is a beautifully arranged setting for young jazz ensembles. In a slow Basie-style swing, this chart features plenty of full

From the classic TV show Peter Gunn, Henry Mancini's iconic ballad is lush and silky. There's nothing fancy here, just nicely scored harmonies and melodies for young players. This beautiful ensemble ballad

Based on the version recorded by Clifford Brown accompanied by strings, this marvelous ballad from 1930 provides trumpet or flugel soloists the perfect opportunity to showcase their lyrical chops.

Composed in 1970, A Song for You has over the years become one of Leon Russell's most popular songs, recorded by countless artists including Peggy Lee, Michael Buble, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston,

This beautiful and iconic jazz ballad from the 1940s is a study in flowing phrases and lush harmonies. Rick Stitzel's setting for younger players focuses on the full ensemble along with brief written or

One of Carlos Santana's more memorable compositions is this instrumental hit from 1976. Along with Santana's own recording, the version by saxophonist Gato Barbieri also became a hit that same year. This

Adele's megahit ballad adapts nicely for young players in this well-paced arrangement by Rick Stitzel. A solo alto sax starts things out, then the melody is passed to the trombones, and then the full band

Although the first hit recording of this enduring standard was by the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1940, Hoagy Carmichael's The Nearness of You has remained popular through the ages with recordings by

Here is a wonderfully sensitive jazz ballad that features a tenor sax soloist throughout. This stunningly beautiful work features optional woodwind doubles and lush harmonies with muted brass textures.

Whitney Houston will always be remembered for this signature ballad. Here is a great-sounding arrangement that features a written solo for alto saxophone, tasteful ensemble accompaniment lines, and later a

Every aspiring jazz player is familiar with this haunting ballad that achieved notoriety as the theme song for television's Mike Hammer series. While not a feature ballad, the saxophone section takes the

One of the signature ballads from the renowned horn band Tower of Power, this tune includes the famous trumpet solo introduction that is one of those magical moments that trumpet players dream about! The