While I was busy writing this chart, my one-­year-­old son Jake was even busier —learning how to walk. Watching a child’s first steps provides an odd mix of inspiration, entertainment, and fear that’s difficult to describe in words. This chart recreates some of those feelings; it’s based on the well-­known twelve-­bar blues format, but features a bass line that stumbles about instead of walking, sudden shifts between normal and double time, a rather slippery slide trombone soli, and ultimately a confident arrival as our toddler finally finds his footing and takes off at a run.

Interested in performing this chart?  You can find it available for purchase online at http://jazzslider.org/store/promos/soundcloud/toddlin —thanks!

Toddlin'

I've never really understood the point of casual dating —casual romances either result in breakup or marriage, and that first option doesn’t really seem worth the trouble. My wife and I both felt this way, and never actually dated anyone other than each other, and not until we knew that marriage was a real possibility. I think that’s why this well-­known standard by Victor Young resonates so strongly with me, particularly Edward Heyman’s beautiful lyrics —“when I fall in love, it will be forever, or I’ll never fall in love”. This soaring ballad arrangement, featuring solo trombone, big band, and orchestral instruments, is written to represent the permanence of our relationship through all the variety of life; listen especially for how the melody grows through a series of rapid key changes during the recapitulation. Dedicated to my lovely wife of nearly ten years, Jamie Jensen. Performed by the UNT 4:00 Lab Band, with assistance from orchestral strings and woodwinds, including a melody feature from oboist Carter Calkins.

Interested in performing this chart?  Please contact me via the form at http://jazzslider.org/contact for more information —thanks!

When I Fall In Love

In honor of Icepocalypse 2015, I thought I'd share a bit about my latest big band chart, a sort of tone poem I'm calling "Frost Point." You can read all about it on my blog: http://jazzslider.org/2015/02/23/frost-point


Frost Point (early MIDI demo)

Slow blues arrangement of the hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee."  Interested in performing this?  Check out my online store: https://jazzslider.org/store/composition/nearer-my-god-thee

Nearer, My God, To Thee (MIDI demo)

Composed for the 2016 Century High School Jazz Ensemble #1 of Bismarck, North Dakota, In-School Suspension features a small-group melody played by muted trumpet, trombone, alto sax, and optional vibraphone, as well as featured soli sections for both the saxes and trombones. The middle of the chart provides lots of opportunity for open solos on a suspended-chord blues progression that young improvisers will find familiar yet challenging.

Interested in playing this chart? You can purchase it via my website at jazzslider.org/store/composition/school-suspension.

In-School Suspension (MIDI Demo)

This is the end of the development section in a new big band chart I'm working on called "Laundry Day".  You can find out more about this sample at https://www.facebook.com/adamjensenjazz/posts/535984569927882.

Laundry Day MIDI Demo (spin cycle)

Another section of my new chart "Laundry Day," demonstrating the use of a repeated vamp to build energy, followed by a hard pivot into brand-new material.  For more on "Laundry Day," check out my Facebook page: https://facebook.com/adamjensenjazz.

Laundry Day MIDI Demo (vamp and pivot)

Want to know more?  https://www.facebook.com/adamjensenjazz/posts/537982343061438