ABC (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mike Tomaro understands how to preserve a song's essential character while giving it new life on the jazz stage. The arrangement respects what made "ABC" a hit (those unforgettable melodies and propulsive groove) while adding enough harmonic color and sectional interplay to keep your ensemble engaged and sounding contemporary.

Bright, propulsive, and instantly recognizable. The arrangement captures the original's youthful exuberance and infectious optimism while adding layers of jazz sophistication. Your ensemble will feel the satisfaction of playing something that belongs on a real stage.

Grade 4 jazz ensembles ready for something that sounds professional without requiring advanced harmonic reading or complex rhythmic subdivisions. Directors seeking a crowd pleasing program piece that generates real student enthusiasm and keeps rehearsals energized.

• Lock into the groove early in rehearsal by isolating the rhythm section; this arrangement's success hinges on a tight, felt pulse rather than metronomic precision.
• Balance the melodic lines across sections. Tomaro's writing distributes the familiar hook among different instrumentalists, so clarity and blend matter as much as projection.
• Lean into the swagger. This isn't a ballad or a complex harmonic exploration. The arrangement thrives on confidence and energy, so encourage your ensemble to play with attitude.

Perfect as an opening number or a second-half pick me up at a jazz concert. It pairs naturally with other contemporary pop arrangements or serves as a palate cleanser between more demanding charts. Consider programming it where you want the audience fully engaged and your students smiling.

• maintaining groove consistency across multiple choruses
• balancing melody and accompaniment in sectional writing
• stylistic interpretation of pop idioms in a jazz context
• ensemble cohesion in fast moving material