Carl Strommen

It is really hard to find quality Christmas material for jazz ensemble that doesn’t require a long time to prepare. Well, here it is! Carl Strommen has arranged a solid medley of all-time favorite Christmas carols in a variety of jazz styles and tempos. You will hear THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, JINGLE BELLS, O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL, and WE THREE KINGS. This is the only Christmas arrangement you will need this year! (5:47)

Big Band Holiday is the perfect holiday chart for the young jazz band. Arranger Carl Strommen has blended “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas,” and “Frosty the Snowman” into an easy-to-rehearse and very playable chart. The chart features brief written-out solos for trombone 2 and alto sax 1 and plenty of ensemble playing throughout. The brass range is modest with lead trumpet going up to written F on the top line. A superb chart! (4:25)

Composer/arranger Carl Strommen delivers this gospel style swing chart for the easy red series. Carl starts things off with an a cappella section for the winds, then brings in the rhythm section on the second chorus to boost the energy. Written solos for 1st alto saxophone and 1st trumpet and an uplifting modulation bring it home. This great chart has easy ranges and sounds full with reduced instrumentation. (2:31)

Here’s a swinging original composition featuring the saxophone section. No doubt about it, the saxes will crave this one, but not to worry, the brass and rhythm sections will love it too. First, your saxes will spend some quality time together on these solos in unison, harmony and a cappella, but always swinging. Then, a powerhouse stop-time ensemble section for the brass and fun chord changes and nice kicks over this blues progression for the rhythm section will keep up the energy. This chart is titled in honor of the defunct premier jazz club on Long Island. Commissioned by the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Band, composer Carl Strommen went all out with this swinger. Great chart!