New Independent Publications for 2025–2026
Looking to bring new energy to your jazz ensemble? My Score, J.W. Pepper’s home for independently published composers, offers a vibrant collection of original works that capture the creativity and individuality of today’s jazz writers. Check out these standout selections as you plan your spring performances, and explore the complete My Score catalog for even more charts across diverse jazz styles.
Blue Skies for Big Band and Show Choir
by Irving Berlin/arr. Nicholas Maluf
Bring a classic standard to life with this vibrant and accessible arrangement of Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies. Perfect for developing and intermediate jazz ensembles, this chart combines the timeless charm of the original tune with fresh, modern touches that keep students engaged and audiences smiling.
Hip Fingers for Jazz Ensemble
by Vince Gassi
This tune oozes cool! An infectious theme repeats, unravels, and winds its way through the piece, picking up a little counterpoint on the way. Solos for trumpet and alto sax unfold somewhere amid the hustle and bustle. A quick key change, a sax soli, and presto change-o, we get back to the original head. All you can say at the end of this seriously hip chart is “Du-u-ude”!!
Blueberry Crumble for Jazz Ensemble
by Francois-Olivier Fortin
A flavorful funk-rock piece based on a minor blues. Your students will enjoy its catchy lines and tasty articulations! The piece is set in the key of D minor and includes the proper blues scale for beginning improvisers. Blueberry Crumble concludes with a drum set mini-feature. Truly a fine dessert to add to your concert menu!
Ever Wonder Why? for Soprano Soloist and Jazz Combo
by Gary Laughrey
This easygoing bossa nova-style work is just fun! Scored for solo soprano voice, piano, vibes, flugelhorn (or trumpet), tenor sax, trombone, bass, drums and claves. At a 2:30 run time, it’ll make a great addition to your next jazz ensemble concert!
Island Hop for Jazz Ensemble
by Carmine Pastore
Bring the joy of sun, sand, and Latin rhythms to your high school jazz ensemble. Accessible parts and upbeat grooves make it a great choice for showcasing your band’s energy and style. It’s written to encourage tight ensemble playing, and percussionists will really help power the piece forward. Island Hop brings that island vibe for performers and audiences alike!
Biscuits & Gravy for Jazz Ensemble
by Leon Steward
Serve up some serious groove with this hard‑hitting funk‑rock chart your band and audience will love. This energetic original features a fantastic saxophone line paired with a driving, hard‑grooving rhythm section for a chart that feels bold, modern, and instantly engaging.
A’Cutrimente for Jazz Ensemble
by Steve Kessler
Here’s a suave, beautiful, and very playable bossa nova designed to feature your alto sax soloist and second trumpet. A memorable melody is supported by sophisticated yet accessible harmonic motives throughout while still being geared to the capabilities of developing jazz ensembles. It contains great material and is fun to play. There are written solos in the solo sections. Trumpet to high A and trombone to high F. Easy-medium.
DJ Private Eye for Jazz Ensemble
by Brian Rhodes
Think of bad private investigator movies and you’ll get the idea of the style of this easy minor swing tune for big band. The solo section may be opened up to anyone who wants to play some C minor blues. DJ is the nickname of Dick Eckstein, the fearless leader of the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra.
Further Down the Road for Jazz Ensemble
by Daniel Greene
Leaving familiarity and comfort is part of the human experience of growth. You must take a step of faith into the world – into the unknown – and in doing so learn more about the world and yourself. But the influence of your roots and early years never leaves – it shapes your view of events to come. Further Down the Road captures the emotion of reminiscing on our past experiences.
Junk Drawer for Flexible Jazz Ensemble
by Dan Wheeler
The ultimate flexible‑instrumentation jazz chart, perfect for programs that need adaptable scoring without sacrificing musical depth. Designed with maximum flexibility in mind, the piece includes four core horn parts plus an optional fifth, each available in C, B-flat, E-flat, F, and bass clef, making it easy to fit whatever instrumentation you have on any given day.
