A Minor Interruption: Drum Set

Biondi writes jazz ensemble charts that actually work in rehearsal. The solo writing here lives in the lead alto and 2nd trumpet, which means you're featuring players who can comfortably carry a line without stretching the section's range. Smart voicings and contained ranges across the ensemble mean your students spend rehearsal time on interpretation and pocket, not survival.

A propulsive, warm latin chart with enough contemporary energy to grab an audience without losing the ensemble in complexity. The groove is immediate and the solo writing sits comfortably over a bed of background figures that give context without clutter.

Jazz ensemble directors working with Grade 3 groups who want genuine latin repertoire without the range demands that bog down developing players. Lead players need solid control and some solo experience, but the written ranges keep everyone accessible.

• Lock the rhythm section tight first. The latin feel depends entirely on the drums and bass sitting together, so isolate those parts before running full ensemble.
• Balance the lead alto solo against the backgrounds. These supporting voicings are written to sit under the melody, not compete with it, so adjust brass and reed balance to let the soloist breathe.
• Nail the section hits. Background passages include ensemble punctuation that define the groove, so mark those clearly and rehearse them as rhythmic units before layering in the soloist.

Program this mid-set to shift energy and temperature in a concert. It works as a natural cooling device after a high-velocity swing chart, or as a momentum builder leading into something more structured. The compact length and straightforward setup make it ideal for pops concerts or community events where you need a confident ensemble moment.

• Latin rhythmic vocabulary and clave feeling
• Solo phrasing over ensemble backgrounds
• Reading and executing section hits in real time
• Balancing unison lines with supporting voicings
• Stylistically idiomatic interpretation of jazz comping figures