Alligator Boogaloo: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Lou Donaldson / arr. Terry White
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007446
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Description
You guessed, a funky rock, aka, a boogaloo groove played around 136 BPM. It's a simple blues with a great melody introduced by alto and trumpet. Written solos provided for alto, tenor, trumpet, and trombone; add the optional parts to include vibes and you have a winner. (3:25)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Alligator Boogaloo: Jazz Ensemble 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:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
86
SKU:
00-PK-0007446
More about this title
About the Composer: Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson is a legendary alto saxophonist who emerged from the hard bop and soul jazz traditions of the 1950s and 1960s. His accessible, groove-oriented approach to jazz made him a natural fit for writing and performing music that could engage both serious musicians and general audiences, a sensibility that comes through clearly in compositions like "Alligator Boogaloo."
Why we love this
This chart captures everything that makes jazz ensemble teaching rewarding: a groove that locks in immediately, a melody that sticks with students, and written solos that give developing improvisers a structured entry point into solo writing. The optional vibes parts let you scale the instrumentation to your ensemble's needs without losing the funk.
What to expect
Pure funk energy wrapped in a simple blues framework. The boogaloo rhythm feels effortless and irresistible, driven by that steady 136 BPM pocket. A melody that swings without pretension anchors the whole piece, making it feel both accessible and genuinely satisfying to play.
Who it's for
Grade 1 jazz ensemble programs looking for an immediate crowd-pleaser with real musical substance. This works for students transitioning from their first charts into material that demands precision timekeeping and basic solo reading skills.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into that 136 BPM boogaloo pocket early. Have the drummer and bass player establish the feel independently before adding horns, so the groove sits solid rather than feeling rushed.
- Feature the alto and trumpet melody section prominently on the head. These instruments introduce the tune, and clarity here sells the whole arrangement.
- Give soloists space to breathe. The written solos provide scaffolding, but encourage players to listen to each other and respond during their eight or sixteen bars rather than playing by rote.
- If you add vibes, balance the volume so they enhance the groove without drowning the horns. Vibes can blur a tight ensemble sound if they're too loud.
How to use it
A perfect opener for a winter or spring jazz concert when your ensemble is ready to show off tight rhythm section work and confident ensemble playing. Its straightforward structure and proven appeal make it ideal for festival performances where clarity and groove matter more than complexity.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady tempo in a funk/boogaloo groove
- Balancing individual solo reading with ensemble listening
- Playing written solos with rhythmic accuracy and phrasing
- Ensemble blend and intonation at moderate tempos
- Understanding 12-bar blues structure and chord changes