Merry Christmas, John Coltrane (aka 25-12)

 

Style:Medium Up Swing
Difficulty Level: Medium-Difficult
Instrumentation: 5 saxes (AATTB), 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums

Featured on the 2015 Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra CD, “Joyful Jazz,” this composition takes the traditional Christmas tune “Deck The Halls” and subjects it to a major 3rds-based progression similar to John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” There are two separate solo sections for anyone (changes on all parts) with background figures.