A Touch of Jazz!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Arr. Jerry Brubaker
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0006839
$75.00
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Description
In the words of the great Duke Ellington, 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing),' and that song title is just one of the tasty morsels in this concert band salute to the world of jazz. The medley just plain cooks when these other classics are added to the pot: The Swingin' Shepherd Blues * 'Round Midnight * Take Five * Li'l Darlin' * C Jam Blues * Cute. Cool, man! (6:25)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Touch of Jazz!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
230
SKU:
00-PK-0006839
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jerry Brubaker
Jerry Brubaker is a prolific arranger and composer whose work spans educational wind band repertoire, from concert pieces to jazz-influenced adaptations. His arrangements are known for accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, making sophisticated styles available to student ensembles at early-to-intermediate levels.
Why we love this
Brubaker threads together seven jazz standards into a cohesive medley that moves with genuine swing and orchestral color. Grade 3 concert bands gain exposure to authentic jazz vocabulary and historical depth while the accessible voicing keeps the ensemble engaged rather than overwhelmed. Programming this gives students a chance to own some of the most influential music in American repertoire.
What to expect
Sophisticated and unbuttoned. The medley moves from the infectious bounce of 'It Don't Mean a Thing' through the moody sophistication of 'Round Midnight,' landing on the crystalline clarity of 'Take Five.' The arrangements preserve the cool confidence of the originals while staying transparent enough for student musicians to hear themselves and each other.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 3 level looking to program jazz with historical weight and stylistic authenticity. Directors who want their students to experience swing, syncopation, and the improvisatory spirit of jazz without requiring advanced reading skills or professional-level technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the rhythm section lock the pocket early in rehearsal. The swing feel won't land if the drums, bass, and piano aren't synchronized on the fundamental groove.
- Balance the featured soloists with the ensemble background. These melodies deserve to sing, so don't let tutti sections overpower the lead lines.
- Sit with the recordings of each tune before you rehearse. Hearing how Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Dave Brubeck performed these pieces will anchor your interpretation.
- Bring attention to the transitions between tunes. The medley cooks when each shift feels intentional, not rushed.
How to use it
Place this as a concert closer or the centerpiece of a jazz-themed program. Its length (6:25) and energy make it ideal for spring concerts or jazz festival competitions where you want to showcase repertoire range without overextending rehearsal time. It also works as a bridge between classical concert programming and more contemporary fare.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and rhythmic interpretation
- Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in mixed meter contexts
- Balancing solo passages with ensemble texture
- Listening across the band for sectional blend and intonation
- Understanding jazz phrasing, dynamics, and the relationship between written and performed rhythm