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Bill Holman has composed and arranged for Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Doc Severinsen, Buddy Rich, Terry Gibbs, Count Basie, Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band and others. He formed his own California-based band in 1975 and continues to perform with it in the U.S. and worldwide. He received his honorary doctorate through Elmhurst College of Illinois.


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After You've Gone (for Woody Herman) - arr. Bill Holman After You've Gone - arr. Bill Holman Ain't Life Grand - Bill Holman
 Holman has done a few arrangements of this tune, and this one may well be the best.  Bill Holman's Big Bands have always been exciting and fresh, primarily due to his writing.  This Bill Holman chart was written for the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra.
Airegin - arr. Bill Holman Any Dude'll Do - Bill Holman Aura - Bill Holman
Airegin - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Any Dude'll Do - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Aura - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $60.00
 This great Sonny Rollins jazz standard features Holman's 1956 writing in a free-swinging, terrific chart.  A happy, cookin, shuffle tune in the best Holman tradition!  Very reasonable ranges and figures which just swing like crazy! Solo space for alto and baritone saxes and drums.  This wonderful chart features a front line of tenor sax and trumpet stating the melody.
Bary Me Not - Bill Holman Begin the Beguine (for Doc) - arr. Bill Holman Bemsha Swing - arr Bill Holman
Bary Me Not - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 As recorded on the new CD The Bill Holman Band Live, Holman has written a witty, musical, fun-filled feature for baritone saxophone.  As recorded on "Tonight Show Band, Vol.  This is the chart that people have been wanting to see in print for years! Recorded by the Bill Holman Band on their album "Briliant Corners", this is the great Thelonious Monk tune set in a straight-eighth Latin feel.
Blue Daniel - arr. Bill Holman Blues For Alfy - Bill Holman Boop Boo Be Doop - Bill Holman
Blues For Alfy - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $45.00
 Frank Rosolino's jazz waltz is loved by all, and Holman's arrangement of it is superb.  This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD I Told You So (out-of-print).  Bill Holman wrote some of the best music played by the Stan Kenton Orchestra and "Boop Boo Be Doop" is surely one of those charts.
Bright Eyes - Bill Holman Bugle Call Rag - arr. Bill Holman But Beautiful - arr. Bill Holman
Bright Eyes - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 There were a number of sensational charts written in the 50's for the Bill Holman Band and the Terry Gibbs Band.  As recorded by the Tonight Show Band on "Once More With Feeling" (Amherst),  this wonderful chart is the hottest "flag-waver" of all time.  Exactly as recorded on the View From the Side CD, this wonderful chart was written for Pete Christlieb to be featured on tenor saxophone.
C Jam Blues - arr. Bill Holman Carl - Bill Holman Certain Circles - Bill Holman
Carl - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $60.00
Certain Circles - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 This great chart is recorded (1999) on the Azica CD "Swingin' the Blues.  When Bill Holman writes a feature for a player, especially in the Kenton Band, you know it will be wonderful.  Holman really gets into his imitative writing with this chart.
Cherokee - Bill Holman Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! - arr. Bill Holman Country Boy, A - arr. Bill Holman
Cherokee - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $60.00
 As recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra  on "Contemporary Concepts," this publication completes the goal of getting this entire watershed recording into print.  This is a wonderful chart, an old tune in a new dress, as only Bill Holman can do it.  Sierra continues to find the lost treasures from Maynard Ferguson's Birdland Dream Band Library.
Cubajazz - Bill Holman Daily Dance, The - Bill Holman Dancing Nitely - Bill Holman
Cubajazz - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Dancing Nitely - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 Rarely does a piece turn up like this one.  The Daily Dance was recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra on the CD "Birthday in Britain.  Bill Holman titled this one after the signs which used to be in the old-time dance halls around the country.
Donna Lee - arr. Bill Holman Easy To Love (Edited) - arr. Bill Holman Easy To Love (Pro) - arr. Bill Holman
Donna Lee - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 This chart is not for the faint-of-heart.  Bill Holman's arrangement, from the Maynard Ferguson Band "Boy With Lots Of Brass" recording, is a wonderful medium-swing tune with solo space for piano, alto, and trumpet.  Bill Holman's arrangement, from the Maynard Ferguson Band "Boy With Lots Of Brass" recording, is a wonderful medium-swing tune with solo space for piano, alto, and trumpet.
Fearless Finlay - Bill Holman Fillings - Bill Holman Git, The - Bill Holman
Fearless Finlay - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
Fillings - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $45.00
Git, The - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $60.00
There were a few Holman charts that were written for the Stan Kenton Orchestra which had disappeared over the years, seemingly lost forever.  Recorded on the Hawthorne Nights LP (PABLO) by Zoot Sims, and a wonderful cast of players, this is a neat, medium swing tune which features tenor sax (naturally).  This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD "I Told You So.
Happy Birthday To You - arr. Bill Holman Another great chart. Hawthorne Nights - Bill Holman
Hav-a-Havana - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 A fun-filled, exciting chart on the old tune.  Any Kenton fan knows this piece very well, as it is one of the finest things ever written for Stan.  This is a bright, up-tempo chart in a contemporary framework.
Honeysuckle Rose - arr. Bill Holman I Didn't Ask - Bill Holman I Remember You - arr. Bill Holman
I Didn't Ask - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 As recorded by the Tonight Show Band on "Once More With Feeling" (Amherst), this bright, swinging chart is a blast !  Bill Holman is at his best, weaving descending unison lines with the tune stated by trumpet and tenor sax (both of which are given solo space).  Recorded on the A View From the Side CD by the Bill Holman Band, this chart is a slow blues, with Willis taking a VERY different approach.  This is one of those superb Holman charts written for Stan Kenton in the early '50's that just swings like crazy.
I'll Be Around - arr. Bill Holman I've Got You Under My Skin - arr. Bill Holman If You Could See Me Now - arr. Bill Holman
 Boy, you talk about a wonderful Trombone Feature .  This may be the all-time greatest jazz arrangement of a standard tune.  Tadd Dameron's ballad "If You Could See Me Now" receives sensitive and thoughtful treatment in this arrangement by the great Bill Holman.
In Lighter Vein - Bill Holman Indiana - arr. Bill Holman Invention for Guitar and Trumpet - Bill Holman
In Lighter Vein - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
Indiana - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Recorded in 1954 for the recording Kenton Showcase this chart is an alto saxophone feature throughout.  Here is another chart written for Stan Kenton (in the mid-1950's), that was never recorded by the band.  Once used in the Blackboard Jungle movie, this piece is one of Holman's earliest compositions to be recorded by Kenton.
Isn't She Lovely (for Doc) - arr. Bill Holman Isn't She Lovely - arr. Bill Holman June is Bustin' Out All Over - arr. Bill Holman
Bill wrote a chart on this wonderful Stevie Wonder tune for his own band and also for the Tonight Show Band.  Exactly as recorded on the JVC Bill Holman Band CD, Stevie Wonder's great tune never sounded so good! Set in a medium-shuffle feel, this chart features tenor saxophone (a la Bob Cooper on the CD) and the wonderful gift of Bill Holman's imaginative arranging. The title says it all for this toe tapping Bill Holman arrangement of the classic Rogers & Hammerstein composition as recorded on the album, “Bill Holman’s Great Big Band”!
Just Friends - arr. Bill Holman Just Sayin' - Bill Holman Keep The Customer Satisfied - arr. Bill Holman
Just Sayin' - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 This an absolutely amazing chart, demanding and exciting beyond belief!  The chart is extensive in length and packed full of the great writing for which Bill is known.   Celebrating his 90th birthday and still providing superb music for all of us to enjoy. Bill Holman's "Just Sayin'" proves that he is still in a league of his own!  Who will ever be able to forget the dynamic Buddy Rich Band? This chart was a staple in that library for a long time, spinning off of the 60's-70'slook at more contemporary music sources (rock, folk, etc.
Kingfish - Bill Holman Kissing Bug - arr. Bill Holman Lemon Twist - arr. Bill Holman
Kingfish - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 This is one of Holman's best loved (and most often played) charts.  The great Strayhorn tune set in a wonderfully playable chart with Holman's unique, clever approach. Bill Holman arranged this gem of a Bobby Troup composition for the Charlie Barnet Big Band!
Lightnin' - Bill Holman Limehouse Blues - arr. Bill Holman Loose - Bill Holman
Lightnin' - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Loose - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 A walkin'-tempo blues featuring trumpet and tenor.  This is another of the many wonderful charts arranged by Holman for the Stan Kenton Orchestra.  Written for and recorded by the Buddy Rich Band on the Big Swing Face CD, this wonderful chart features trumpet (a la Bobby Shew on the CD) and alto saxophone (a la Quinn Davis on the CD).
Lot of Livin' To Do - arr. Bill Holman Lover Man - arr. Bill Holman Make My Day - Bill Holman
Lover Man - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
Make My Day - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 As recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Jean Turner,  this chart used to be Jean's opener when she sang with the Kenton Band.  This chart was originally written for Charlie Parker to perform with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.  Bill's wonderful melodic ideas find a home in a humorous setting featuring swinging tenor sax and trombone solos.
Malaga - Bill Holman Malaguena (Edited) arr. Holman/Curnow Malaguena - arr. Bill Holman
Malaga - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Malaguena - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $75.00
 Absolutely one of the all-time great big band charts! Tenor sax, drums and trumpet solos, interspersed with fabulous ensemble writing.  This is a new edition (Finale computer notation) of the original arrangement, edited to be played with the following instrumentation:  2 altos, 2 tenors, baritone saxophone, 5 trumpets, 5 trombones,  piano, bass and drums.  This is a new edition (Finale computer notation) of the original arrangement, with no editing.
Man I Love, The - arr. Bill Holman More About Thirds - Bill Holman Mulligan Tawny (for Woody Herman) - Bill Holman
 As recorded by the Bill Holman Band on In A Jazz Orbit, here is his chart on the wonderful Gershwin melody.  This amazing work was commissioned by the I.  As written for and recorded by the Woody Herman Orchestra (Columbia), here is a great chart fashioned with a nod to Gerry Mulligan's groups.
My Funny Valentine - arr. Bill Holman Never Sleep (MM3 The Big Street) No Heat - Bill Holman
No Heat - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 As originally recorded by the great Charlie Mariano with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, this is a must-have solo feature for alto saxophone.  This is the third movement of the three-part suite titled "The Big Street" which was recorded on the album "The Fabulous Bill Holman" in 1957.  You've probably heard this chart on the great recordings such as In A JazzOrbit (Holman's Band) or the Terry Gibbs DreamBand CDs.
No Joy In Mudville - Bill Holman Norwegian Wood Of All Things -  Bill Holman
Norwegian Wood
Retail Price: $60.00
Of All Things - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Scintillating big band music at its best!! Holman does it again! Lots of blowing space for trombone and baritone sax, and a romp-stompin' trip through Holman's present-day ideas about the modern big band.  This is the real thing, as written for and recorded by the Buddy Rich Band on the Big Swing Face CD.  Holman originally wrote this chart to feature Charlie Parker with the Kenton Band in the early '50's.
Ol' Man River - arr. Bill Holman On The Corner (MM2 - Street Suite) - Bill Holman Only The Greatest - Bill Holman
 Holman once again takes an older tune and reinvents it in a swinging, very hip fashion.  On the Corner is a moderate tempoed blues .  As written for and performed by the Buddy Rich Big Band, here is the long-missing chart that Holman wrote to feature The Great One.
Opener, The - Bill Holman Opening - Bill Holman Out of Nowhere - arr. Bill Holman
Opener, The - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Opening - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 There are a few charts from this library which are very playable by any reasonably well developed jazz ensemble. Here is a great, free-swingin' Opener, also written for Stan Kenton.  Holman wrote this to feature Bill Perkins in the mid '50's.
Peacocks, The - arr. Bill Holman Petaluma Lu - Bill Holman Plain Brown Wrapper - Bill Holman
Petaluma Lu - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 This is a beautifully haunting melody, scored for bass clarinet soloist (opt.  A really delightful samba! 339 measures of pure delight! Features soprano sax and flugelhorn, as well as drums and bass.  This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD "I Told You So.
Polka Dots and Moonbeams - arr. Bill Holman Press One - Bill Holman Readymix - Bill Holman
Press One - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Readymix - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Arranged by Holman for Carl Fontana with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the mid 50's.  As recorded on the new CD The Bill Holman Band Live, this chart is a vibrant, clever, swinging original.  This chart was a staple in the Buddy Rich Big Band library for a long time, spinning off of the incredible excitement of that band.
Real You, The - Bill Holman Resisting Arrest (MM4 - Street Suite) - Bill Holman Rhapsody In Blue - arr. Bill Holman
Real You, The - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 A kind of quirky approach in a medium groove.  The finale to this wonderful suite is set at a fast pace, with a great theme (unison trombones and tenors to start) and lots of solo spaces for tenor sax, trumpet and drums.  As recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra on "Live at Brigham Young University",  this is a rare baritone saxophone solo feature throughout.
Roseland (MM2 The Big Street) Royal Blue - arr. Bill Holman Ruby, My Dear - arr. Bill Holman
Roseland (MM2 The Big Street)
Retail Price: $50.00
Royal Blue - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 This is the second movement of the three-part suite titled The Big Street which was recorded on the album The Fabulous Bill Holman in 1957.  Bill Holman's compositions in the library of the Stan Kenton Orchestra were some of the most exciting pieces ever conceived for jazz orchestra.  The new CD Brilliant Corners, as recorded by Bill Holman's Band, is taking the jazz world by storm! Here is one of the ballads on the recording, which contains all Thelonious Monk compositions as arranged by Holman.
Ruth - Bill Holman Serenade in Blue - arr. Bill Holman Shades (MM1 - Street Suite) - Bill Holman
Ruth - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 This is one of the most original big band rock/fusion charts ever written.  As recorded on "Tonight Show Band, Vol.  Shades opens with a drum solo (brushes on snare) in a medium tempo and swings on from there.
Shadrack - arr. Bill Holman Sizzler - Bill Holman Solo For Buddy - Bill Holman
Shadrack - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
Sizzler - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $45.00
Solo For Buddy - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 Bill Holman's Great Big Band was a sensational ensemble! That album has just been re-issued on Mosaic Records.  Recorded on the Vic Lewis West Coast All-Stars play the music of Bill Holman (MOLE JAZZ CD 14) by an exciting lineup of L.  Buddy Childers, that is! Willis wrote this for Buddy in 1954, and it is recorded on the Kenton Showcase album (This music is available from Mosaic Records in their Russo/Holman CD set.
Solos (Pro v.) - Bill Holman Speak Low - arr. Bill Holman St. Louis Blues (for Doc) - arr. Bill Holman
Solos (Pro v.) - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Speak Low - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
This is the original version composed by Bill Holman for the Stan Kenton Orchestra! This is a wonderful, easy-swing chart on a great standard, set at a moderate tempo.  As recorded by the Tonight Show Band on "Once More With Feeling" (Amherst), Holman takes a fresh look at this wonderful old jazz standard.
St. Thomas - arr. Bill Holman Stairway To The Stars - arr. Bill Holman Stardust - arr. Bill Holman
St. Thomas - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Stardust - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Sonny Rollins and Bill Holman.  Another terrific feature chart by Bill Holman.  This is a great chart on a great standard, originally recorded by the Terry Gibbs Band on the Dream Band CD.
Stella by Starlight - arr. Bill Holman Stereoso - Bill Holman Stompin' at the Savoy - arr. Bill Holman
Stereoso - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 A great alto saxophone feature.  The Bill Holman Great Big Band recorded this chart on the Capitol album (same name) in 1960.  If there is one chart which seems to capture the essence of Stan's mid-fifties bands, this is the one! The chart swings like mad from downbeat to the end.
Stop-Go (MM3 - Street Suite) - Bill Holman Street Suite - Bill Holman Sunshinola - Bill Holman
Street Suite - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $220.00
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Sunshinola - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 As the title implies, this chart does not rest for a moment. This was written for the Danish Radio Big Band.   As recorded on the new CD "Hommage", Holman has written a witty, musical, fun-filled "fantasy" on the well-known American tune (as in "You are my.
Swee' Pea - Bill Holman Take the "A" Train - arr. Bill Holman Tennessee Waltz - arr. Bill Holman
Swee' Pea - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD "I Told You So.  As recorded on "Tonight Show Band, Vol.  This chart is a sensational version of the old standard, all dressed up with a new look only Holman could create.
Theme and Variations #2 - Bill Holman Theme and Variations - Bill Holman There Will Never Be Another You - arr. Bill Holman
 Holman's writing is legendary, and this chart will just add to the legend.  Recorded in 1953 on the Kenton Showcase album (This music is available from Mosaic Records in their Russo/Holman CD set.  This is one of the great "unrecorded" (or "missing") solo features written for the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
Ticker - Bill Holman Tico Tico - arr. Bill Holman Told You So - Bill Holman
Ticker - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
Tico Tico - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Told You So - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD "I Told You So.  As recorded by the Stan Kenton Orchestra (Creative World CD) on  " Live at Redlands University",   this chart is a rip-roaring latin and swing chart that just flies along.  Great charts often require editing to maintain their freshness and relevance. We put this classic chart into Finale, reduced it to 8 brass, and are now providing a full score. This wonderful piece is on the Count Basie Orchestra CD "I Told You So."
Too Close for Comfort - arr. Bill Holman Tree Frog - Bill Holman View From The Side, A - Bill Holman
Tree Frog - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Count Basie recorded this on the wonderful CD "I Told You So.  This chart was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on the CD "I Told You So.  Winner of the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition.
West Side (MM 1 The Big Street) What's New? (Older Version) - arr. Bill Holman What's New? - arr. Holman
What's New? - arr. Holman
List Price: $55.00
Retail Price: $55.00
 This is the first movement of the three-part suite titled The Big Street which was recorded on the album The Fabulous Bill Holman in 1957.  This may be the all-time greatest jazz arrangement of a standard tune. Bill Holman wrote this arrangement for the Kenton Orchestra in the early '60's to feature Marvin Stamm on trumpet (of course). Kenton never recorded it, so this is a brand-new chart to most people. No guitar. 5-4-4-3
Winning the West - Bill Holman Woodrow - Bill Holman Works - Bill Holman
Woodrow - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Works - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
 As written for and performed by the Buddy Rich Big Band, here is the long-missing chart that Holman wrote to feature Buddy on Drums and Pat LaBarbera on Tenor Sax.  Bill Holman has created a rollicking, swinging, wonderful tribute to Woody Herman with this great chart.  Here is a terrific medium swing chart, also written for Stan Kenton in the 50s.
World is Waiting for the Sunrise, The - arr. Bill Holman Yesterdays - arr. Bill Holman You and I - arr. Bill Holman
Yesterdays - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $50.00
You and I - arr. Bill Holman
Retail Price: $60.00
 This wonderful chart is recorded on "Tonight Show Band, Vol.  This is a wonderful feature for tenor saxophone (as recorded by Bill Perkins).  Holman has a wonderful knack of taking just about any tune and making it swing like crazy.
You Go To My Head - arr. Bill Holman Zamboni - Bill Holman Zoot 'n' Al - Bill Holman
Zamboni - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
Zoot 'n' Al - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $65.00
 A medium tempo, very interesting setting for this well-known standard.  What a marvelous chart this is! The "engine" which keeps on going is a 4-bar vamp in the rhythm section.  As recorded on the new CD The Bill Holman Band Live, this chart features two tenor saxophone players throughout, playing together and separately.
Zoot - Bill Holman
Zoot - Bill Holman
Retail Price: $55.00
 Holman wrote this to feature (of course) Zoot Sims on tenor saxophone.