For Prescreening and Final Audition:
Trumpet, saxophone, and trombone players will perform with piano (or guitar), bass, and drums.
Guitarists will perform with piano, bass, and drums.
Pianists will perform with bass and drums.
Bassists will perform with piano (or guitar) and drums.
Drummers will perform with piano (or guitar) and bass.
Choose one song from each of the categories and be prepared to perform the song’s melody and improvise a solo on the chord changes of the song. Rhythm section instruments should demonstrate the ability to accompany a soloist.
All songs are listed in concert key:
Rhythm Changes
- Duke Ellington, Perdido, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 224
- Charlie Parker, Anthropology, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 180
- Sonny Rollins, Oleo, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 220
Blues
- Charlie Parker, Blues for Alice, F Major, approx. quarter note = 170
- Thelonious Monk, Blue Monk, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 120
- Sonny Rollins, Sonnymoon for Two, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 178
Ballads
- George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin, Embraceable You, F Major
- Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke Polka Dots and Moonbeams, F Major
- Vernon Duke/Ira Gershwin, I Can’t Get Started, C Major
Waltz
- Johnny Mandel/Johnny Mercer, Emily, C Major, approx. quarter note = 120
- Fats Waller, Jitterbug Waltz, Eb Major, approx. quarter note = 160
- Frank Churchill/Larry Morey, Someday My Prince Will Come, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 146
Drummers only
In addition to the selections listed above, drummers should prepare the following grooves:
Afro-Cuban 6/8 groove
Shuffle groove with backbeat
Swing groove with brushes (slow, medium, and fast)
Swing groove with sticks (slow, medium, and fast)