The MHS Blackwater Beats Jazz Band

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The Milton High School Jazz Band is the cool and smooth side of the band program.  They are under the direction of Mr. Bryce Coots.  They play a wide assortment of pop, smooth, swing, and other styles of jazz music.  The Jazz Band can be seen performing at various venues in the Milton/Pensacola area including Pensacola beach.  This ensemble currently meets 4th period everyday as well as some days after school. Entry into the jazz band will be determined simply by signing up for the Jazz Ensemble class.  Upon entry in the Jazz Band, each student will be required to audition for chair placement.  
Jazz Band AUDITIONS

All students interested in participating in the Blackwater Beats Jazz Band at any level are encouraged to audition. Auditions are for the following standard big band instrumentation: Alto saxophones, Tenor Saxophones, Bari Saxophones, trumpets, trombones or baritone, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, auxiliary percussion, and drums,).  Non-standard jazz instruments such as flute and clarinet can also audition but are not guaranteed a spot.  Instrumentation can vary year-to-year depending on the specific needs of each ensemble and/or repertoire selections. All Jazz Auditions will take place on Teams and are due by Saturday, May 24th.
 
Please understand that I will try my hardest to fill two completely separate bands, however, if there is not enough of each instrument for two bands, I will only have one band with a limited number.  This means that there is a possibility of you not making the jazz band completely.  I will have to determine this after auditions. 
                                                           
                                                           
Audition Requirements for Winds, Piano, Guitar, & Bass
  1. SOLO: Jazz excerpt titled “Things”, starting at the beginning to measure 32, with the accompaniment track. Sheet Music and Audio Excerpts are located below.​
    1. Perform this excerpt with the accompaniment playing in the background
    2. Make sure you use the track that has the accompaniment only.                        
  2. SCALES: Blues Scales (Choose 2)
  3. IMPROVISATION: Improv over a standard 12 Bar Blues progression in Bb. Audio Excerpts are located below.

​Audition Requirements for Drums
  1. STYLES: Demonstrate rhythmic and “groove” competency in the following musical styles: Swing, Bossa Nova, Funk, Cha-Cha, & Rock. 16 measures each with a pause between styles.  You may choose whatever tempo you would like, however, cleanliness and musicality must remain prominent. You can record these in which ever teams assignment on the Jazz auditions you wish.
  2. SOLO: Jazz excerpt titled “Things”, starting at the beginning to measure 32, with the accompaniment track. Play once through solo as written filling and embellishing over the changes if able. Sheet Music and Audio Excerpts are located below.                                                  
                                                                                                           
All Auditions will be evaluated on the following:
  • Individual Expression and Tone Quality
  • Technique, Tempo, and Rhythmic Feel
  • Appropriate Jazz Style, Phrasing and Improvisation Performance & Musicality
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SCAN THIS TO DOWNLOAD MICROSOFT TEAMS
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SCAN TO JOIN JAZZ AUDITION TEAM
​TO JOIN THE JAZZ AUDITIONS TEAM:
CLICK HERE or:
  1. Scan the QR code above to download the Teams App
  2. Login with your School Email (this is the Microsoft login version)
  3. Once in the app, click on “Teams” at the bottom of the screen
  4. Click the Three Dots at the top right
  5. Select “# Join a team with a code”
  6. Enter the code 3g7giiu
TO SUBMIT AUDITION VIDEOS:
  1. Under assignments
  2. Select the audition that you would like to submit (7 major scales or Prepared Music)
  3. Click “+ New”
  4. Then “Flip recording video”
  5. You can either:
    1. Upload a pre-recorded video from your device OR
    2. Take a video to submit.
6.At the beginning of each video, state YOUR NAME, INSTRUMENT, and CURENT SCHOOL. 
  1. Submit when done
​Prepared Music 
Alto/Bari Sax
​Tenor Sax
​Trombone
​Trumpet
Guitar
Piano 
Bass
Drums
Play along Tracks
Example Track
CLICK HERE

Play along track for WINDS
CLICK HERE

Play along track for GUITARS
CLICK HERE

Play along track for PIANO
CLICK HERE

Play along track for BASS
CLICK HERE

Play along track for DRUMS
CLICK HERE
12 Bar Blues Progression play along track in Concert Bb
CLICK HERE
Blues Scales

Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Bari Sax
Trumpet/Clarinet
Trombone
Piano/Other Treble Clef Concert Pitched Instruments
Guitar/Flute
Bass
2025 FBA Jazz MPA Recording:
Critical Mass by Jeff Jarvis
Li'l Darlin' by Neil Hefti
Blue Rondo A La Turk by Dave Brubeck Arr. Custer


2024 FBA Jazz MPA Recording:
Tell Me a Bedtime Story by Herbie Hancock Arr. Alan Baylock
Blue Goose by Duke Ellington
Hey Pachuco by Achoe, Dorame, Nichols Arr. Shane Porter


​2023 FBA Jazz MPA Recording:
Bolivian Fantasy by Michael Philip Mossman
'Round Midnight by Cootie Williams & Thelonious Monk Arr. Dave Wolpe
Caravan by Duke Ellington & Juan Tizol Arr. Alan Baylock

2022 FBA Jazz MPA Recordings:
Moanin' by Charles Mingus Arr. Andrew Homzy
Channel One Suite Bill Reddie Arr. Tom Davis

2020 FBA Jazz MPA Recordings:
Blue Rondo A La Turk by Dave Brubeck Arr. Calvin Custer
Goodbye, Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus Arr. Andrew Hornzy
La Cumparsita by Gerardo Rodriquez Arr. Chris Sharp

2018 FBA Jazz MPA Recordings:
Jump by Winton Marsalis Arr. David Berger
Willow Weep for Me by Ann Ronnell Arr. Kris Berg
Pick up the Pieces by Average White Band Arr. Victor Lopez

2017 FBA Jazz MPA Recordings:
​Jeannine by Duke Taylor Arr. Mark Taylor
Radiant Morning by Dan Torisian Arr. Paul Baker
Count Bubba by Gordan Goodwin Arr. Paul Murtha

2016 FBA Jazz MPA Recordings:

Stewart Street Soul
Yardbird Suite by Charlie Parker Arr. Mark Taylor
My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers Arr. Mike Smukal
Chameleon by Herbie Hancock Arr. Chris Sharp

Blackwater Beats:
Take Five by Paul Desmond Arr. Rich DeRosa
Blue Serenade by Paul Baker
Channel One Suite by Bill Reddie Arr. Mike Lewis
Professional Recordings of Current Lit: