Published Works

"ingenious scoring...exotic orchestral colors, witty riffs and gloriously uninhibited splashes of dissonance...translucent textures and elegant voicing...shrewd arrangements..."
Chicago Tribune

Antonio García has composed or arranged literally hundreds of works over the past thirty years. Here is a listing of those original compositions most readily available, with sound-files of excerpts for your review.

"Tony's charts always reflect his personality: interesting, well thought-out, original, and most of all a distinctive style that gives him an arranging signature all his own."
Rob Parton, Rob Parton Big Band

If you would like to discuss potentially commissioning a work, please contact Antonio García directly. Fees are flexible, and he may also assist you in identifying co-sponsorship from additional funding sources.

To hear sound files of the pieces below, click on the links in the Recording column. Please note that the QuickTime sound files will have better sound quality than the RealAudio files.

Click on these links if you need to download the QuickTime Player or RealAudio Player.


 

Jazz Ensemble
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Blue Infusion

 q = 70;
12/8 Swing		 III opt. Alto, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm section archival

RealAudio File

Kjos

 $45 comm. by The Commission Project for Evanston Township HS Jazz Band (IL); altered minor blues
Bouncing Back

q = 120; Swing

 II any instrument; opt. written Trpt, Tenor archival

RealAudio File 		garciamusic.com $45 comm. by TCP and Limestone Jr. HS (IL); bluesy tune alternating 2- and 4-feels; opt. reduced down to 6 horns, Pno, Dr
By the Light
of the Dawn		 q = 66; Bolero IV Tbn or opt. any player live concert video; also YJED 2000, Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
 Three-Two Music $70 comm. by TCP for the 911 Mambo Orchestra and for Evanston Township HS Jazz Band

"At the 51st edition of The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, ...the evening began with the premiere of García's new bolero, By the Light of the Dawn, underwritten by The Commission Project and performed by Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra, one of Chicago's outstanding Latin jazz bands. The composition is being shared with Evanston Township High School's jazz band as part of García's ongoing artist-residency there, also funded by TCP."
International Trombone Association Journal

"Cha-Cha
con Sabor"

q = 124;
Cha-cha

III

opt. Alto, Tenor, Bari, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm

archival
mp3 file

Walrus

$55

written for the VCU Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band; A-minor; in the style of Oye Como Va; solos over AABA form or just an A-minor vamp; opt. guitar, timbales, percussion; opt. "coro" for the band to sing!

"Hang" Time

q = 124; Swing

V

4 Tbns + written B. Tbn

Hot House, Eastman Jazz Ensemble (Mark MJS-57615), 1985

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$55

5-Tbn feature in G minor & G major; ww doubles

I Like Bebop

q = 220; Swing

V

Tbn, Trpt, Pno, Dr, any Saxes

The Count is In, JazzTech Big Band
(Sea Breeze CDSB-2047), 1993

RealAudio File

Walrus

$55

comm. by the Illinois Music Educators Association; Bb blues with a bridge
"For sheer big band excitement and power, it would be hard to surpass Tony García's infectious I Like Bebop...."
Jazzgram

I Mean MO

q = 190; Swing

IV

Alto, Tbn, Trpt, Rhythm

archival
mp3 file

garciamusic.com

$45

comm. by IAJE-MO for the Missouri Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Ensemble; "I Mean You" changes
"That is an awesome chart! Very funny and swinging.
Kudos on a very clever and fun chart."
Michael Philip Mossman, Trumpeter, Composer, Bandleader
Missouri All-State Jazz Ensemble Director
"Your chart was wonderful, so packed with cleverness.
Thanks for a great commissioned Missouri chart."
Martha Stitzel, The Principia

Jaguar Blues

q = 184; Swing

III

any instrument; opt. written Alto, Trpt, Tenor, Tbn

archival

RealAudio File

Kjos

$45

comm. by TCP and Jefferson Middle School (MO); cut-time feel, with all horn notes on quarter-note downbeats for easy reading; opt. reduced down to 6 horns, Pno, Dr

Jumpin' at
the Westside

q = 200; Swing

IV

opt. Alto, Tenor, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm

Fascinatin' Rhythm, JazzTech Big Band (ROPA Jazz 1033), 1997

RealAudio File

Walrus

$55

comm. by Dowling HS Jazz Band (IA); based on Shiny Stockings & Satin Doll; opt funk section

"Parton has been able to generate some first-class writing from within. Of special interest is Tony García's Jumpin' at the Westside, which has a couple of unexpected interludes of ensemble interplay during a rhythm drop-out, plus knowing solo work on trombone by the author."
Down Beat
"...a thundering flag-waver,
a striking original."
Jack Bowers (liner notes for the CD "Fascinatin' Rhythm")

Loved One

q = 70
Swing Ballad

IV

Tbn or opt. Trpt

What Are We Here For?, JazzTech Big Band (Sea Breeze SB-2067), 1995

RealAudio File

Walrus

$48

comm. by JazzTech Big Band; Basie-style ballad a la Li'l Darlin'
"...a hauntingly lovely ballad reminiscent of Neal Hefti's
Li'l Darlin'."
Cadence
"In the category of prettiest original composition, the undisputed winner is trombonist Antonio J. García who wrote, arranged, and contributes a lustrous solo on Loved One, an entrancing confection
whose unhurried pace and seductive melody bring to mind
Neal Hefti's classic Li'l Darlin'."
 Jack Bowers (liner notes for the CD "What Are We Here For?")
"...wonderful writing...a lovely line for the bridge...the changes are very rich and challenging.... Dynamic textures near the end of the chart will surprise the audience with dramatic change."
IAJE Jazz Educators Journal

Maelstrom

h = 118; Funk (opt. shifts to other styles)

IV

opt. Alto, Tenor, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm

archival
mp3 file

Walrus

$55

 written for the VCU Jazz Orchestra I and premiered with saxist Seamus Blake; named after the center of a storm; solos over one-chord A-sections with a several-chord bridge; no sax doubles.

Mambolák

h = 100; Latin

III

Alto, Flugel, Drums

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$50

a samba with easy solo changes

The Midwest Fest

q = 120; Swing

IV

opt. Alto, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm

archival; also
...All Save The Blues!, Evanston Township High School Jazz Ensemble, 1997

RealAudio File

Kjos

TBA

comm. by Meet The Composer, The Thelonious Monk Institute, and TCP for Evanston Township HS Jazz Band; based on Cherokee

"Antonio García guest-solos on his own [The Midwest Fest], which offers an imaginatively surrealistic dixieland interlude."
Down Beat
"This swing-style arrangement is based on the chord sequence to the jazz classic 'Cherokee'; and there are references to older swing tunes, such as 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Four Brothers,' and Dixieland music throughout the arrangement."
The Instrumentalist

Partin' Shots

q = 112; Swing

V

Pno, Bass, Tbn

JazzTech Big Band
(Sea Breeze CDSB-112), 1991

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$50

comm. by JazzTech Big Band; Monk-ish Bb blues w/ww doubles, difficult Trpt soli, difficult Pno melody
"The [JazzTech] disc's highlight is Partin' Shots. García's number gives the rhythm section its biggest chance to shine
and features four trumpets playing as if from one mind to one purpose."
The Jazz Review

Samba Sin Palabras

h = 96; Samba

III

any instrument (or opt. voice)

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$75

comm. by Highland Park HS (IL); opt. vocal jazz ens; easy solo changes

Soft Spot

q = 90; Swing

V

Tbn

live concert video; also
Eleventh Hour Live! , JazzTech Big Band (Sea Breeze SB-2110), 2000

Walrus

$55

comm. by JazzTech Big Band; sassy, bump-and-grind plunger Tbn feature with blues-march bridge

South Third
Street Waltz

q = 142;
Jazz Waltz

III

Alto, Trpt

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$45

comm. by Hinsdale Central HS Jazz Band (IL)

 

String Orchestra
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Legacy

q = 120;
Even-eighths

III (ens)

any instrument
(Grade IV solos)

archival

RealAudio File

garciamusic.com

$60

comm. by Highland Park HS (IL); string orchestra + piano; blues and gospel content
...an "upbeat musical work with elements of the spiritual, gospel, blues, bossa, and funk influences in jazz."
IAJE Jazz Educators Journal
"Tony's composition, Legacy, brought a new dimension of musical creativity and understanding to my string orchestra members, motivating them to crave the jazz experience. He came to rehearsals, brought phrasing and balance to life, and created confidence in students' ensemble and solo performances. They were excited and challenged by performing melodic and harmonic jazz idioms and jazz solos.
It was great watching my cellist, who is capable of performing Schelomo, really 'get it on' with his jazz solo in Legacy. Working and interacting with Mr. García was a personal and professional pleasure."
Charles Emmons, Director of Orchestral Activities, IL Twp. HS Dist. #113 (Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools)

The Wayfarer's Path

4 mvmts of varied tempi;
Even-eighths

IV (ens)

no improvised solos

archival

RealAudio File

garciamusic.com

$100

comm. by Oakton HS (VA); string orchestra only; some mixed meter

 

Full Orchestra
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Crescent City Scenes

Blues, Ragtime, Ballad, & Dixie

IV

Trpt (opt written), Pno

archival

RealAudio File

garciamusic.com

rental

comm. by the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra (IL); 4 Mvmts in New Orleans styles; orch + Pno

 

Jazz Orchestra (traditional orchestra plus jazz ensemble)
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Tales of
Twilights Past

q = 116; 3/4 Latin

V

Trpt

archival

RealAudio File

garciamusic.com

$200

premiered by the Eastman Studio Orchestra

 

Wind Ensemble
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Cha-Cha Yunque

q = 120;
Cha-Cha

III

any instrument

archival

RealAudio File

Kjos

$60

comm. by The Commission Project for Deer Path Middle School (IL); solos possible with 2 major and 2 blues scales
"Working with Tony this year was the best kind of gift: one you never expect to receive. His ability to share his expertise and knowledge enthusiastically with middle school students is unsurpassed. The amount of time he devoted to our students cannot be measured in minutes or hours, and we can only hope that we repaid his dedication by performing Cha-Cha Yunque in a manner that pleased him. We will always be grateful to Tony and The Commission Project."
Heather Pettit, Director of Bands, Deer Path Middle School (IL)

Shaping Thought

h = 92; Latin

III

opt Fl, Cl, Alto, Trpt, Tbn, Perc

archival

garciamusic.com

$80

comm. by Meet The Composer for the Harvard Junior High Concert Band;
D Dorian minor
"During his Meet The Composer residency at Harvard Junior High School, Mr. García demonstrated both his creativity and flexibility in working with a unique focus group of sixth through eighth graders, blending band students with varying levels of music training and Latino students from our limited English proficiency class."
Gary Gerdt, Director of Bands, Harvard C.U.S.D. #50

 

Trombone Ensemble
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Go Tell It On The Mountain

rubato chorale, then q = 132, Swing

IV

one or more, ad-lib or written

archival
mp3 file

Kagarice Brass Editions

$10

Four parts. Performed at the 1997 ITA Festival.

 

Combo
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

Midst Warm Winter's Chill

h = 92; Latin

V

Alto, Trpt, Tbn, Bass, Drums

archival

RealAudio File

garciamusic.com

$40

comm. by Georgia agencies affiliated with the NEA

 

Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Title Tempo/Style Grade Soloists Recording Publisher Price Notes

A Musing
From Afar

q = 112;
Even-eighth Modal

II

any

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$45

comm. by IMEA District VIII; ECM-style, with lyrics about relationships separated by distance

Face to Face

q = 100; Swing

III

male/female
written solos

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$45

comm. by IMEA District I; lyrics about high school boy-meets-girl

First Impressions

h = 78; Samba

III

male/female
written solos

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$45

Clare Fischer-influenced harmonies and Latin style; lyrics about romantic first impressions

Gonna' Go Dancin'

q = 140;
Jazz Waltz

III

any

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$50

comm. by IMEA District IX; '60s Blue Note-influenced feel; lyrics about plans to go out dancing
Gonna' Go Dancin' is a "well-written jazz waltz in the style of All Blues."
Paris Rutherford, University of North Texas, IAJE Jazz Educators Journal

Journey

h = 86;
Half-x Funk

II

any

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$40

quartal harmonies and planed dissonances; lyrics about retreating into one's imagination

Metanoia (A Change of Heart)

Rubato Ballad

III

male
written solo

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$40

a cappella ballad; lyrics regarding the changing of relationships

Samba Sin Palabras

h = 96; Samba

III

any voice
(or instrument)

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$75

comm. by Highland Park HS; jazz ens w/opt. vocal jazz ens; worldess lyrics in horn style

Strollin' with Sammy

q = 88; Swing

IV

male/female written solos

archival

RealAudio File

UNC Jazz Press

$45

a tribute to composer/arranger Sammy Nestico in music and lyrics
Strollin' with Sammy is a "a simple big band sound, good for teaching swing."
Paris Rutherford, University of North Texas, IAJE Jazz Educators Journal

 

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