Christmas Jazz (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2) [Eb Sax, Bb Sax, Clarinet, Flute]

In 2018, my life was in somewhat of a tumultuous state. The year began with my marriage breaking down and the start of a divorce and months later ended with the start of an unexpected and wonderful new relationship, the like of which I could never previously have imagined. With two composers now in one house, we wanted to share in marking this with a light hearted first Christmas by collaborating on some jazzy reimaginings of Christmas carols.

So Christmas Jazz volume 1 was written. Consisting of five festive arrangements including smoochy ballads (Silent Night, and The First Nowell (Noel) but also tunes with serious groove factor (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is one), plus I saw Three Ships (complete with sleigh bells), and Hark The Herald (in 5/4 time).

As well as featuring the original tune, each piece has an element of written out accessible sax solo; enabling the players to sound like a pro. The pieces are not too advanced, and players of intermediate ability will be able to play all without any difficulty. Some, (The First Nowell, and Silent Night for instance) are even more accessible; around grade 3-4.

The collection is available in editions for Alto/Baritone Saxophone, Tenor/Soprano Saxophone, Bb Clarinet and Flute.

Volume 1 is available as the full collection as book or PDFs from the following:

Masquerade Music:

Eb / Alto Saxophone https://bit.ly/3idsoLY (or Sheet Music Plus https://bit.ly/2R9EutM )

Bb / Tenor Saxophone https://bit.ly/32gjA2e (or Sheet Music Plus https://bit.ly/32fy56r )

Bb Clarinet https://www.masquerade-music.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6890937-Christmas-Jazz-for-Bb-Clarinet-Piano-Volume-1.html (or Sheet Music Plus https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/christmas-jazz-for-bb-clarinet-volume-1-five-christmas-holiday-pieces-in-jazz-styles-also-funk-and-ballad-includes-demo-and-backing-tracks-for-free-via-details-on-printout-after-ordering-digital-sheet-music/21872889?aff_id=629773 )

Flute https://bit.ly/33AouH3 (or Sheet Music Plus https://bit.ly/3iPoklC )

To follow this up, in 2020 we wrote a second set, Christmas Jazz Vol. 2, another five festive arrangements including smoochy ballads (The Holly and the Ivy, and Away in a manger, but also tunes with serious groove factor again (O Holy Night – with a funk groove/cheeky quality with optional growl/slap tongue), plus Ukrainian Folk Carol in a crazy swing style (you’ll probably recognise it my a different name though ;), and Deck the halls (in a minor key, inspired by the beautiful music of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla).

As well as featuring the original tune, each piece has an element of written out accessible sax solo; enabling you to sound like a pro. The pieces are not too advanced (although Ukrainian Folk Carol is perhaps around grade 6-7), and players of intermediate ability will be able to play all without any difficulty. Some, (Away in a manger, and The Holly and the Ivy for instance) are even more accessible; around grade 3-4.

Volume 2 is available as the full collection as book or PDFs from the following:

Masquerade Music:

Eb / Alto Saxophone https://bit.ly/2RfgtRT (or Sheet Music Plus https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/christmas-jazz-for-eb-saxophone-volume-2-five-christmas-holiday-pieces-in-jazz-styles-also-funk-and-ballad-includes-demo-and-backing-tracks-for-free-via-details-on-printout-after-ordering-digital-sheet-music/21863707)