Essentially Ellington Series

Through the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program, Jazz at Lincoln Center has transcribed more than 85 recordings of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and other seminal big band composers. Each transcription provides performance notes in the score, and reference recordings, teaching guides, and rehearsal videos of Wynton Marsalis rehearsing the Jazz at Lincoln Orchestra on these titles are available on jalc.org/essentiallyellington.

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Essential Jazz Editions

A series of charts for both combos and larger jazz ensembles transcribed from classic jazz recordings. Five charts at a time are produced and published as a set, beginning with early jazz standards and continuing throughout the 1940s. Each original transcription includes historical and performance notes.

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Jazz for Young People

The Jazz for Young People Series features arrangements for jazz ensemble by today's leading jazz arrangers. Designed for younger and developing bands, these charts are based on the repertoire from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People™ Curriculum.

Full Elementary Curriculum
Performance Series for Young Jazz Ensemble

Jazz at Lincoln Center's
Essentially Ellington
Celebrates 15 Years!
By Joanna Massey,
Assistant Director, Education,
Jazz at Lincoln Center

This year the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program (EE) is celebrating its 15th anniversary. We estimate that more than 300,000 people have participated in the program over the years, including students, band directors, parents, musicians, and volunteers. Jazz at Lincoln Center is currently conducting a national search for these program alumni. If you are an EE participant from this year or years past, log on to jalc.org/ee15, take our EE Celebrates 15 survey and be counted in the project!

Essentially Ellington is a unique free educational resource for high school jazz bands. The program supports the development of school music programs through distribution of the original music of Duke Ellington and other seminal big band composers and arrangers, as well as curriculum resources - including recordings, videos, teaching guides, and expert feedback. The year-long program also includes a student writing contest, regional festivals throughout the country, and an annual Competition & Festival held each May in New York City.

Free membership includes: six original transcriptions or arrangements, reference recordings, a score study and teaching guide, subscription to the EE newsletter and other educational resources, including videos of Wynton Marsalis rehearsing the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on EE repertoire. In addition, bands have the option to submit a recording for the EE Competition & Festival or for professional feedback only, or to attend an EE Regional Festival.

While membership is sold out for the current year, the six titles featured in this year’s program are currently available from your preferred music dealer. Memberships for next year’s program will be available in September.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is pleased to work with Alfred in the publication and commercial distribution of the Essentially Ellington series, as well as the Essential Jazz Editions and Jazz for Young People Series. For more information visit jalc.org/essentiallyellington or call 212-258-9812.