Jazz Ensemble Grade: 4.5

Here is a great jazz ensemble arrangement for your more experienced band. Leroy Anderson’s clever holiday tune joined with Mike Lewis’s creative treatment makes this a must-have in your library. Mike has used a rhythm section pedal note pattern behind the melody, giving this classic a brand new life. This chart moves along at a bright swing tempo, yet the brass demands are very reasonable with first trumpet to D and lead trombone up to A. A big shout chorus and no jazz solos—just ensemble and section work galore—keep your band thinking, playing and swinging together throughout this exciting chart. First-class writing!