Jim’s “FunJazz Piano Arrangements” are designed for keyboard players from all backgrounds, with levels of experience ranging from a few years of practice (late beginner/easy intermediate) to advanced. While these short pieces are intended to function primarily as engaging, in-depth study material for the dedicated jazz pianist, they also offer the curious-minded classically trained pianist a recreational way into the world of jazz piano playing. Enjoy!
The arrangements, lead sheets, and transcriptions listed below are available for purchase from Sheet Music Direct (SMD) and Sheet Music Plus (SMP). Track titles are in bold and albums are listed in parentheses, with the release year.
- Level 1 = Easy / Beginner
- Level 2 = Easy Intermediate
- Level 3 = Intermediate
- Level 4 = Advanced Intermediate
- Level 5 = Advanced
A Child Is Born by Alec Wilder, Thad Jones (Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Consummation, 1970)
Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk (Light Blue, 1958)
Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock (Empyrean Isles, 1964)
Cherokee by Ray Noble (Ray Noble and his Orchestra, Cherokee, 1938)
Hocus Pocus by Lee Morgan (The Sidewinder, 1964)
Ikigai by Jim Funnell (New Dream, 2024)
Take Five by Paul Desmond (Dave Brubeck Quartet, Time Out, 1959)
Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock (Takin’ Off, 1962)