The Tradition Expands: Kendor Music Publishing Announces New Jazz Ensemble Music

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Lakeland, Florida (May 29, 2024) – Kendor Music Publishing is thrilled to announce the release of its Jazz Ensemble music for 2024-2025 featuring new charts from Kendor Music Publishing, including the release of seven new full-score editions in the Sammy Nestico Jazz Series, as well as Doug Beach Music. Four new composers join veteran voices in the Kendor Music Publishing line-up, expanding the tradition of this beloved and storied publishing house.

“I couldn’t be more excited to share our new Kendor Jazz catalog, including the Sammy Nestico full-score editions, and new releases from Doug Beach Music,” says Kendor Music Publishing Jazz and Instrumental Editor Blair Bielawski. “Our composers, who are dedicated to nurturing Jazz musicians of all ages, have done an exceptional job creating music that pays tribute to our rich heritage and tradition while introducing fresh and engaging sounds. We’ve got great new charts that encourage improvisation at all levels to help foster musical exploration while building valuable ensemble skills.”

New this year, Kendor Music Publishing is thrilled to release new editions of seven masterworks by the legendary composer and arranger, Sammy Nestico, in full-score versions. During the years that Sammy Nestico wrote for the Count Basie Orchestra, he composed landmark pieces that became staples in the repertoire of Jazz Ensembles across the world. Until now, seven of these outstanding charts were only available with a condensed score. Kendor Music Publishing is releasing full-score versions of these seven charts: Hay Burner, It’s Oh, So Nice, Magic Flea, The Queen Bee, Switch in Time, That Warm Feeling, and Ya Gotta Try. For the first time, these pieces are available with full scores and the parts have been meticulously edited to address inconsistencies in the original editions. Aside from being an invaluable tool for the director in rehearsal, these new releases offer insight into how Nestico wrote for the Basie Orchestra, providing key resources for study and exploration.

Kendor Music Publishing’s 2024-2025 new release includes original and arranged charts from Kris Berg, Peter Blair, Vince Gassi, Dave Hanson, Jeff Jarvis, Clifton Jones, Andrew Lesick, Jamie Roth, Ellen Rowe, Craig Skeffington, Terry White, and Greg Yasinitsky. Doug Beach Music’s 2024-2025 release features composers Doug Beach, Denis DiBlasio, Michele Fernández, George Shutack, Mike Tomaro, and Bret Zvacek.

With Kendor Music Publishing’s interactive online resources making the selection process easy and streamlined, directors can access free professional recordings and ScoreVideos for each new chart, as well as Composer Insights videos where composers share inspiration and details about their new charts. Professional recordings of the new music are streaming on all major platforms and the publisher’s website. All these resources can be used as tools for students in the classroom at any time. The scores in this collection are thoughtfully edited and engraved with ease of reading and accessibility at the forefront. Kendor Music Publishing’s catalog is organized with the following color-coded series names: Quest (1), Gateway (1.5), Trek (2), Journey (3), and Summit (4 and up). These categories delineate grade levels, helping directors select the most appropriate music for their ensembles.

Kendor Music Publishing’s 2024–2025 Jazz Ensemble music releases are available from music retailers and the publisher