Another Star (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00458957
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Description
The Latin, Jazz style with a killer horn line and lots of percussion are faithfully captured in the great song by Stevie Wonder. From one of the most important albums in the history of pop music, "Songs In The Key of Life," this final song of the double album is a perfect closer for any concert
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00458957
More about this title
About the Artist: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder stands as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work spans soul, funk, jazz, and pop. Blind from infancy, he became a virtuoso on piano, harmonica, and drums, and his creative output shaped the sound of popular music from the 1960s onward. His mastery of harmony, rhythm, and production technique makes his songs enduring teaching tools for understanding how to layer complexity with accessibility.
Wonder's 1976 double album "Songs in the Key of Life" represents a high point in his artistic vision: ambitious, genre-bending, and deeply musical. The album demonstrates sophisticated jazz harmony, intricate percussion arrangements, and infectious grooves that have made these compositions standards in educational settings. Music students studying contemporary harmony, rhythm section interplay, and ensemble arranging benefit enormously from examining his work.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the infectious groove and sophisticated layering of the original without sacrificing singability or ensemble balance. The horn line sits perfectly for a mixed ensemble while the Latin-jazz foundation gives your singers a modern, stylistically rich setting. This is a legitimate closer that lands with energy and leaves the audience smiling.
What to expect
Warm, buoyant, and propulsive. The Latin percussion sparkles underneath while the voices float above a steady jazz groove, creating an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and celebratory. You'll hear the influence of Wonder's original in every harmonic twist and rhythmic push.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles, contemporary choral groups, and mixed choirs seeking a modern closer with strong musical content. Directors programming concerts that mix traditional repertoire with pop and soul standards will find this a smart fit for engaging both young singers and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section early in rehearsals. The Latin percussion and bass pocket are the glue holding the groove together, so get your drummers and pianists in sync before layering the voices.
- Shape the horn line as a countermelodic voice rather than accompaniment. The brass parts deserve clarity and definition so they cut through the vocal texture.
- Layer in dynamics gradually as the song builds. Start softer on earlier sections to create arc and momentum toward the final climax.
- Ground the singers in the pocket by having them practice with just the rhythm section (drums, bass, piano) before adding the full arrangement.
How to use it
Reserve this for your concert finale when you want to send the audience out energized but not exhausted. It works beautifully after more classical or traditional selections, offering a stylistic pivot that demonstrates your ensemble's range. Consider pairing it with other contemporary pop-jazz arrangements to frame a concert section around modern songwriting.
Skills your students will build
- Singing over syncopated rhythms in a jazz-latin style
- Blending voices while maintaining rhythmic independence from instrumental sections
- Reading and executing harmonic movement across extended chords (sevenths, ninths)
- Responding to percussion-driven ensemble textures and groove-based accompaniment
- Stylistic interpretation of contemporary pop-jazz phrasing and articulation