All About That Bass: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's Grade 2 setting opens this chart to younger ensembles without sacrificing the infectious energy that made the original a hit. The arrangement captures what makes this song so immediately appealing: the groove is undeniable, the melody sits comfortably for inexperienced readers, and the doo wop references give students a connection to jazz history while they're playing something their friends actually know.

Confident and playful. The chart swaggers with its simple, memorable melody and underlying rhythmic swagger. Students get to experience the satisfaction of playing something recognizable and groovy while the doo wop inflections add a winking nod to jazz tradition.

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level, particularly those looking to program contemporary pop alongside traditional jazz repertoire. This arrangement works equally well for mixed ability groups in community bands or middle school jazz programs where players need accessible material that doesn't sacrifice musicality.

• Lock the rhythmic pulse in the rhythm section first. This tune lives and dies by its groove, so drilling the kick drum, bass line, and comping figures before bringing in the horns pays dividends.
• Shape the melody with light phrasing rather than playing it straight. The original vocal performance has personality and space; encourage your soloists and lead voice to breathe and interpret the line.
• Balance the doo wop background figures so they sit comfortably behind the melody without overwhelming it. These voices should feel conversational, not bombastic.
• Allow the swing feel to breathe naturally rather than forcing it. At this grade level, younger players often rush contemporary pop charts; a relaxed tempo with confident pocket playing sounds far more authentic than pushing.

Position this as a crowd pleaser on a concert where you're balancing classic jazz standards with modern repertoire. It works particularly well at pops concerts, end-of-year celebrations, or concerts aimed at engaging younger or less traditional audiences. The accessibility of both the arrangement and the source material makes it an excellent choice early in the season when players are still developing their sight reading.

• Reading and executing straightforward swing eighth notes
• Maintaining rhythmic pulse within a groove-based ensemble setting
• Understanding basic doo wop harmonic vocabulary and aesthetic
• Balancing melody and background figures in a jazz arrangement
• Interpreting contemporary pop within a jazz ensemble context