Mike Dana

Watch what happens when your band plays this medium-up swing/Latin chart! It's loosely based on not one, not two, but three jazz standards. It swings so cool and sways so gentle, your audience will sa...

Azucar is a Latin chart loosely based on Stanley Turrentine's 'Sugar'. The melody is played by a trio (trumpet, alto, tenor). The solo section can feature anyone in the band, and the simple changes an...

This relaxed (mm=108), hip (but not too hip!), Basie-style chart is a great vehicle for teaching your young band how to lay back. This is the perfect middle-of-the-set chart. There are short solos for...

This is THE perfect closer chart for your fall concert! Nothing says Halloween like an up-tempo (half note=92) retro swing spooky chart with Metallica overtones. Drums: listen to Krupa. Guitar, there'...

The chart revolves around the rhythm section grove that starts at the top. The groove continues at A, then breaks into time at A9, back to the grove at A13. The pattern continues at B. Horns (as alway...

Aus der Reihe 'Bernaerts Music for Christmas'.

This burning contemporary original will be an audience-pleasing opener or festival chart, and your band will dig it too. It's a 12 bar (but not a blues) form in C minor. The melody is stated by a trio...

This is a beautiful chart, with a unique feel. Chart opens with a warm chorale melody, then evolves into an ethereal, straight-eighth (mm=140) ECM-ish feel. Solo changes are included for tenor and tru...

This soprano sax feature was composed in memory of Paul Shaghoian. A huntingly beautiful minor melody in 3/4 is supported by lush brass and woodwind textures. Scored for 10 brass (inc. tuba), with som...

This medium-tempo (mm=128) Bb blues shuffle is a great opener for your young band. Solo changes are included for alto, tenor, trumpet, a d trombone, and can be opened up to feature any other soloist....

Here's the perfect chart to feature your drummer...specifically, your drummer's hi-hat. The Monk-ish melody has lots of holes for some tasty hat fills. The tempo (mm=140) and ranges (trumpet to C, tro...

Your band will love this medium-up tempo (mm=144) chart based on the changes of Summertime. A driving bass line supports the melody, played by altos and trumpet. Solo changes are included for alto, te...

Inspired by Homer Simpson's favorite day of the week, the VERY playable medium-up (mm=140) chart really cooks. A bluesy intro sets up the tasty 16-bar melody, played by altos and tenors. Solos are for...

A hauntingly beautiful ballad, with unusal voicings in an ECM-Vince Mendoza style. Originally a guitar vehicle, it can also feature vibes or tenor (optional parts are included.) Scored for 10 brass. R...

Here's a medium-up tempo modal chart that your band (and audience) will really enjoy. A contemporary head sits on top of an ostinato in open fifths, while the drummer keeps things energized with Elvin...

Your band will be itching to play this medium shuffle. The melody gets under your skin, and the shout chorus really burns! Listen carefully for cameo appearances by Wayne Shorter and the Pink Panther....

A great opener: a hard-driving minor blues shuffle always gets the crowd in the right mood. Your tenor player has a short bluesy cadenza at the top and again at the end, and is also featured on the so...

The 'spicy burrito' returns with a vengeance in this Latin chart that sounds much harder than it plays. An ominous opening leads into a 12/8 feel that alternates with a driving Afro-Cuban groove. You'...

Zoo is a hard driving medium-up (mm=156) opener that sounds hip, has an easy solo section, and will make your young band soung GREAT. The melody is played by altos and trumpets, with backgrounds added...

Otono (commissioned by Curtis Gaesser for the Folsom Jazz Festival) is a moody, medium-tempo Latin chart, based on the changes of another well-known tune about fall foliage. It's an ideal 'middle-of-t...

December is a Maria Schneider - esque chart that features tenor (opt. soprano) and trumpet (opt. guitar or vibes) solos. The ethereal melody floats over a 6/4 even-eigth groove. Solo changes are chall...