Any Way You Want It: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement strips away the need for featured soloists while keeping the energy intact, which means your ensemble can sound polished without waiting for students to develop advanced improvisational chops. The relentless 8th-note pulse creates groove from the first rehearsal, letting students feel like they're playing something contemporary and alive rather than learning a jazz standard.

Propulsive and energetic. The steady 8th-note foundation gives the piece a modern, driving quality that feels contemporary even decades after the original, while the harmonic structure keeps things accessible rather than complex.

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level that want a recognizable pop hit without the setup work of teaching improvisation. Directors working with mixed ability groups will appreciate that this arrangement lets younger or less experienced players contribute meaningfully to a complete arrangement.

• Keep the 8th-note pulse locked and even across the ensemble; this groove doesn't forgive dragging or rushing, so rehearse sections together before putting them into the full arrangement.
• Balance the horn section against the rhythm section so the chart's momentum feels driven by both the drums and bass line equally, not buried under flashy voicings.
• Work dynamics carefully in the quieter passages to maintain tension; this piece thrives on contrast between sparse sections and full ensemble hits.

Place this early in a concert program where it can serve as a high-energy crowd pleaser and tonal contrast to more traditional jazz fare. It works equally well as a spring concert opener or as part of a pop/rock themed set that shows students' range beyond classical repertoire.

• Playing as part of a functioning rhythm section without featured solos
• Maintaining steady subdivision and groove over extended musical passages
• Balancing individual parts within a dense ensemble texture
• Reading and performing rock and pop idioms in a jazz ensemble context