Shuffle Stop

Middle school director and jazz trumpeter Mike Kamuf offers this medium-tempo blues set over a shuffle groove. After a big full-ensemble opening, the chart moves into the infectious yet simple melody. A stop-time begins a chorus-long dialogue between brass and saxes, providing players an excellent opportunity to focus on time, keeping the groove steady and in the pocket. Solos are provided for alto and trumpet, but feel free to open this one up to let more of your students solo over the blues!