2025 Canadian Instrumental Jazz Syllabus

The MusicFest Instrumental Jazz Committee has assembled a list of over 240 compositions and arrangements by Canadian writers. Ensembles are encouraged (but not required) to perform at least one number by a Canadian composer or arranger.  If you are aware of other Canadian works that could be added to this list, please provide the necessary information to info@musicfest.ca .

Level 1

Big Block BluesSabina, LesKendorswingKendorListen
Big IslandAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRorockApRoListen
Blue HeronOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicWaltzClovertone MusicListen
BoomerangRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
BrantaRichards, TomClovertone MusicsalsaClovertone MusicListen
Cowboy CountdownOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Crunch TimeAppleby, BrianApRo rockApRo Listen
DaydreamYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Dean's WorldYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Front of the TrainMeeboer, RyanEighth NotemamboEighth NoteListen
Game On!Ballantyne, AndyClovertone MusicrockClovertone MusicListen
Ginger JamYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingbluesBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Hotel MamboOverton, ChristianClovertone MusiclatinClovertone MusicListen
Jazzmin TeaGassi, VinceBelwin3/4 swingBelwinListen
Luke's BluesAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRoswingApRoListen
Mission: SecretMeeboer, RyanEighth NoterockEighth NoteListen
Moatfield ShuffleRichards, TomClovertone MusicShuffleClovertone MusicListen
Mr. CoolMeeboer, RyanEighth NoteswingEighth NoteListen
NiobeGassi, VinceBelwinlatinBelwinListen
Orinoco CocoaGassi, VinceBelwinlatinBelwinListen
Pacific AttitudeGassi, VinceBelwinrockBelwinListen
Pete's ChuneOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicreggaeClovertone MusicListen
Red River Mud PieBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicbluesClovertone MusicListen
Rough CopyMeeboer, RyanEighth NotefunkEighth NoteListen
SleepwalkMeeboer, RyanEighth NoteSwingEighth NoteListen
Something ModalMeeboer, RyanEighth NoteSwingEighth NoteListen
Stone Cold StrutPatterson, ErikClovertone MusicrockClovertone MusicListen
Swing AwayAppleby, BrianApRoswingApRoListen
Train TrackOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
TweetGassi, VinceBelwinrockBelwinListen
You Must KnowMeeboer, RyanEighth NotesambaEighth NoteListen
Your Turn To ShuffleAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRoshuffleApRoListen
Zero GravityGassi, VinceBelwinRockBelwinListen

Level 2

A Kingdom's Last Hope Jr.Overton, ChristianClovertone Music12/8Clovertone MusicListen
A Long Kept SecretOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicballadClovertone MusicListen
All Your BasePatterson, ErikClovertone MusicrockClovertone MusicListen
Are You For Real?Yorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock shuffleBurnihla Music PublishingListen
At Long LastOverton, ChristianClovertone MusiclatinClovertone MusicListen
Atlantic CrossingOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicstraight 8ths modalClovertone MusicListen
BabyMeeboer, RyanEighth NoteballadEighth NoteListen
Baby Cha-CheYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
BBT BluesRogal, ScottApRoswingApRoListen
Big VMeeboer, RyanEighth NoterockEighth NoteListen
Bird SongMyles, DavidSongbox MusicFunkSongbox MusicListen
Blue LoonAppleby, Brian ApRoswingApRoListen
Blues EncounterAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRoswingApRoListen
Bob's WorldRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
BrouhahaSabina, LesKendorrockKendorListen
Cathy's ArmyYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingballadBurnihla Music PublishingListen
CheekyYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Chili Club GrooveRogal, ScottApRolatinApRoListen
Cloud SongOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicrockClovertone MusicListen
Crusin' at 30000Overton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Crying on the InsideYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock ballad Burnihla Music PublishingListen
Disco FunkMarlatt, David (arr. Ryan Meeboer)Marlatt, David, arr. Ryan MeeboerfunkMarlatt, David, arr. Ryan MeeboerListen
Don't Bring Her BackYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Down and OutMeeboer, RyanEighth NotebluesEighth NoteListen
Drew's BluesYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Electro's Next Plot (Jr.)Overton, ChristianClovertone MusicSlow ShuffleClovertone MusicListen
En Su CaminoCrowe, GregClovertone Musiccha chaClovertone MusicListen
Finding PeaceYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Formula OneSabina, LesKendorswingKendorListen
French ToastYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Friday Night SpecialOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
G-popYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Gentle OneYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingbasie balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Glass Half FullYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingballadBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Go Go BluesOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicgo go rockClovertone MusicListen
Go With the FlowAppleby, BrianApRoballadApRoListen
Grit Your TeethYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Hangin' at the ShackRogal, ScottApRoballadApRoListen
HushThomas, BillEighth NoteballadEighth NoteListen
Live WireYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Looking SouthSabina, LesKendorlatinKendorListen
Maximum TrajectorySabina, LesKendorswingKendorListen
Missing You (short version)Stride, FredSierraballadSierraListen
n00bYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock shuffleBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Oh So FineMeeboer, RyanEighth NotefunkEighth NoteListen
PassagesAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRoballadApRoListen
Patent Leather ShoesYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Primal ForcesAppleby, BrianApRorockApRoListen
Reservoir RoadRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
RockridgeAppleby, BrianApRorockApRoListen
Rooster TailSabina, LesKendorlatinKendorListen
Season OpenerAppleby, Brian & Scott RogalApRorockApRoListen
Seismic StrutSabina, LesKendorlatinKendorListen
Shushwap ShuffleBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicSwingClovertone Music
Sock Hop Be-BopOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicgroovyClovertone MusicListen
Sometimes I Feel Like a MuppetHunt, ChrisClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
South Bay BluesRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
Southern CharmSabina, LesKendorballadKendorListen
Summer ShowerYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Talk to MeYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock shuffleBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Tango!Overton, ChristianClovertone MusictangoClovertone MusicListen
That LookOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicswing balladClovertone MusicListen
The Gene MachineOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Thid MRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
ToodlesYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock ballad Burnihla Music PublishingListen
Two Heads Are Better Than OneYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Vop-adooGingJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cabluesandrewjonesmusic.ca
What Once WasOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicBalladClovertone MusicListen
Wild CardYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingfunkBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Winter LullabyRogal, ScottApRoballadApRoListen
WistfulYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock ballad (trombone feature)Burnihla Music PublishingListen
With Fond RemembranceYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingballadBurnihla Music PublishingListen

Level 3

A Waste of RationsYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Almost DoneRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
Arcadian AutumnOverton, ChristianClovertone Music3/4 SwingClovertone MusicListen
Boris and NatashaYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock shuffleBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Brand New CarYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Canal Street WalkOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Cold SnapAppleby, BrianApRoswingApRoListen
Copper Bell MenoriesYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Crusher's Last StandMahar, BillBell Mahar Music.comswingBell Mahar Music.comListen
DeparturesJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.ca6/4 balladandrewjonesmusic.ca
Detective StoryOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicslow swingClovertone MusicListen
Do the Funky SamRogal, ScottApRorockApRoListen
Don Carlos' DreamDivitt, EwanClovertone Music6/8Clovertone MusicListen
Drive the BusYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
El Castor LocoBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicsalsaClovertone MusicListen
Fall InMcNeill, Deandeanmcneill.commed. straight 1/8thsdeanmcneill.com
FarewellYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Femi's FlightOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicafro beatClovertone MusicListen
FiligreeStride, FredSierraballadSierraListen
Gray SkiesStride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
Groanin'Mahar, BillBell Mahar Music.comshuffleBell Mahar Music.com
HamunaptraOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicRockClovertone MusicListen
Hangin' With Uncle GeoffYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Hitting Her StrideYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
IntersectionsBuckley, BobBarnhouseswingBarnhouseListen
Into the LightStride, FredSierrafusionSierraListen
InvernessSzabo, StephenBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
It's Just You and MeStride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
Let Me Be The Sugar In Your TeaOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicswing Clovertone MusicListen
LiftedOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Little Static Cling, AStride, FredSierrarockSierraListen
Loco MotionStride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
Lost StoriesOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicstraight 8thsClovertone MusicListen
MatadorStride, FredSierraspanishSierraListen
Ned's BoogieRogal, ScottApRoboogieApRoListen
No 'Stache For AshYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Out Of The FogYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
PoolsideYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishing"Basie" balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
PorcupineYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
ReflectionsMcNeill, Deandeanmcneill.comhorn choraldeanmcneill.com
Return of the ShuffleupagusJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cashuffleandrewjonesmusic.ca
Sax AccordStride, FredSierraballadSierraListen
Sea SprayStride, FredSierralatinSierraListen
Soft WindsStride, FredSierralatinSierraListen
Sol FiestaKundakcioglu, MariaClovertone MusiclatinClovertone MusicListen
Sparky's New DigsYorke-Slader, NeilUNC Jazz PressswingUNC Jazz Press
Sundown, SundownJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cafusionandrewjonesmusic.ca
Sweet DreamsYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingballadBurnihla Music PublishingListen
T3 BluesRogal, ScottApRoswingApRoListen
The Dancehall ShakeOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicdance hallClovertone MusicListen
The Dirrty DogHunt, ChrisClovertone MusicfunkClovertone MusicListen
The Green BluesOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
The PhantomLogue, JasonClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
The StrideJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.calatinandrewjonesmusic.ca
The TestOverton, ChristianClovertone Music12/8Clovertone MusicListen
The Timothy TreeJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.carockandrewjonesmusic.ca
The WiggleGrossman, JoshClovertone MusicfunkClovertone MusicListen
TumbadoraKundakcioglu, MariaClovertone MusicsalsaClovertone MusicListen
Yun GiaOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicsalsaClovertone MusicListen
ZhongdianYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen

Level 4

A Day at StanhopeYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishing/UNC Jazz Pressrock balladBurnihla Music Publishing/UNC Jazz PressListen
Air BlairYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingswingBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Alone In A Crowded RoomYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingballadBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Among The PyramidsStride, FredSierralatinSierraListen
Back Bacon BluesMcDougall, IanWalrusswingWalrusListen
Bandar's Five Year FunkYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingfunkBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Biased Against InconvenienceYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishinglatinBurnihla Music PublishingListen
BlowtorchSabina, LesKendorfunkKendorListen
Bunser BurnerMcNeill, Deandeanmcneill.comswingdeanmcneill.com
ChazzGrossman, JoshClovertone MusiclatinClovertone MusicListen
Dante's Hot HouseGassi, VinceH.M.S. PublishingswingH.M.S. PublishingListen
Dark MatterBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicballadClovertone MusicListen
Driving on the LeftYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishingrockBurnihla Music Publishing
E & HSabina, LesUNC Jazz PressballadUNC Jazz Press
EpitaphBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicBallad WaltzClovertone MusicListen
Evil EyeYorke-Slader, NeilUNC Jazz PressrockUNC Jazz Press
First X FreeHunt, ChrisClovertone Musicstraight 8thsClovertone MusicListen
Four More to GoAu, AllisonClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
From the TopStride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
Funk OutKundakcioglu, MichaelClovertone MusicfunkClovertone MusicListen
Gentle BreezeYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Getting Her WayYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishinglatinBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Gossamer WingsYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock balladBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Happy DanceYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishinglatinBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Missing You (pro version)Stride, FredSierraballadSierraListen
More SheepYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishinglatinBurnihla Music PublishingListen
On The Ending EarthPatterson, ErikClovertone MusicballadClovertone MusicListen
Quizas Tenia RazonJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.ca12/8 afro-cubanandrewjonesmusic.ca
Ragtop HeavenYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingswing/rock shuffleBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Santa MonicaYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music PublishinglatinBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Santiago NightsLogue, JasonClovertone MusicLatin RockClovertone MusicListen
Something for Ernie (Nothing for Bert)Stride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
StreetmodeMahar, BillBell Mahar Music.comswingBell Mahar Music.com
Surface TensionLewis, JimClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
The Fifth BeatleBallantyne, AndyClovertone Musicodd metre straight 8thsClovertone MusicListen
The PathGrossman, JoshClovertone Musicgospel & funkClovertone MusicListen
The Phone Don't Ring JackBallantyne, AndyClovertone MusicshuffleClovertone MusicListen
The PursuitOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
This But's for You!Promane, TerryClovertone MusicswingClovertone MusicListen
Two For JerryJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.catbn. duet swingandrewjonesmusic.ca
West End BluesMahar, BillBell Mahar Music.comswingBell Mahar Music.com
WhirlwindStride, FredSierraswingSierraListen
Wicker ChickenJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cafunkandrewjonesmusic.ca

Level 5

A Kingdom's Last HopeOverton, ChristianClovertone Music12/8 FeelClovertone MusicListen
Bad DreamMacDonald, EarlWalrusswingWalrusListen
Bitter TartRunions, GregUNC Jazz Pressjazz waltzUNC Jazz Press
Caffeine, Anyone?Sabina, LesUNC Jazz PressswingUNC Jazz Press
Cool Ones, TheStride, FredSierrafunkSierraListen
Countless Blues, TheWilkins, RickWalrusswingWalrus
DriftArgue, Darcy JamesReally Good Music3/4 balladReally Good MusicListen
Electro's Next PlotOverton, ChristianClovertone MusicSlow ShuffleClovertone MusicListen
End of A Love StoryHaines, SteveUNC Jazz PressballadUNC Jazz Press
Everyday LivingMcNeill, Deandeanmcneill.com3/4 swingdeanmcneill.com
For SonnyMcNeill, Deandeanmcneill.com3/4 swingdeanmcneill.com
Is This the Underground?Jones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.calatinandrewjonesmusic.ca
Jake O'ShawnaseyJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cafusionandrewjonesmusic.ca
Living LonelyRunions, GregUNC Jazz PressballadUNC Jazz Press
MarantaSabina, LesUNC Jazz PresslatinUNC Jazz Press
Mensa, Baby!Yorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishingrock/mixed metres/waltzBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Mind PortalsYorke-Slader, NeilBurnihla Music Publishinglatin & rockBurnihla Music PublishingListen
Mingusian GrinderMahar, BillBell Mahar Music.combluesBell Mahar Music.com
NumblyMahar, BillBell Mahar Music.comswingBell Mahar Music.comListen
Oh, Brother!Runions, GregUNC Jazz PressswingUNC Jazz Press
Oprah and the Bean HarvestJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cafusion 6/4 & 7/4andrewjonesmusic.ca
Santiago SidestepSabina, LesUNC Jazz Presslatin/swingUNC Jazz Press
Spanish BanksStride, FredSierralatinSierraListen
Sweet AdelphiJensen, ChristineJenisis Musicjazz waltzJenisis MusicListen
Sylvan ValeJensen, ChristineJenisis MusicballadJenisis Music
Tall ShadowsJones, Andrewandrewjonesmusic.cafusion 7/4andrewjonesmusic.ca
The Rest...Tynan, PaulUNC Jazz PressswingUNC Jazz Press
The SplitMurley, Mike (arr. Steve Haines)Murley, Mike, arr. Steve Hainesslow swingMurley, Mike, arr. Steve Haines
ThreadsMcNeill, DeanWalrusswingWalrus
TransitArgue, Darcy JamesReally Good MusiccontemporaryReally Good Music
Vernal FieldsJensen, ChristineJenisis Musicjazz waltz/ funkJenisis MusicListen
VistaBallantyne, AndyClovertone Music6/8 & 3/4Clovertone MusicListen
Who AskedWilkins, RickWalrusswingWalrus
Wood & ShadowOverton, ChristianClovertone Musicslow straight 8thsClovertone MusicListen

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