And All That Jazz: SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the sass and swagger of the original without overwhelming an SSA ensemble. The piece sits beautifully in a range that allows singers to access the sultry character Kander wrote, and the accessible vocal writing means your students can focus on attitude, phrasing, and ensemble blend rather than fighting the score. This is Broadway authenticity that your singers will actually enjoy performing.

Sultry and confident. The piece oozes sophistication from its opening piano chord and invites singers into a world of smoke-filled jazz clubs and knowing glances. Even in an educational setting, performers feel like they're inhabiting a real character, not just singing notes.

Treble choirs at the middle school through high school level, or adult ensembles seeking accessible Broadway material with genuine theatrical flair. Directors wanting to program a recognizable show tune that doesn't require a full orchestra or elaborate staging will find this arrangement efficient and effective.

• Anchor the groove in the rhythm section. Even without a full band, the piano part establishes the jazz feel; nail the accompaniment's pocket and your singers will feel supported.
• Shape the opening lines with subtle dynamic swells rather than straight volume. The 'strut tempo' Kander wrote demands confidence, not force.
• Layer in movement intentionally. Fosse choreography is iconic, but even simple, controlled arm placements during the ensemble sections will amplify the piece's theatrical appeal.
• Balance the solo moments (if present in your voicing) so they land without overwhelming the ensemble texture. Jazz scat or rhythmic figures need clarity against block harmonies.

Pair this with other Broadway selections for a jazz or musical theater concert, or program it as a showstopper late in a spring concert when your ensemble has built ensemble cohesion and vocal maturity. The theatrical nature makes it ideal for a cabaret-style program or as a finale that sends the audience home smiling.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility (swing eighth notes, syncopation)
• Sustained legit vocal production in a jazz idiom
• Ensemble balance within block harmony voicings
• Theatrical interpretation and stage presence
• Reading treble clef harmonic movement across SSA parts