Unlike most jazz arranging books, which focus on the rudiments of arranging (transposition, ranges, notation, and so forth), this book deals with the real substance of arranging for small jazz ensembles, in addition to the rudiments. Rinzler devotes a chapter to each of the following arranging elements: intros, endings, accents/breaks/dynamics, time and tempo changes, style changes, form, rhythm section procedure, harmony and orchestration. Over a hundred musical examples demonstrate arranging techniques that apply to 147 jazz standards and modern compositions.

"...an excellent addition to the literature on jazz instruction." - Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association

"...detailed but concise...this thoroughly researched and clearly written book will be accessible to students and public library patrons with some technical background." - CHOICE