April in Paris: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Vernon Duke / By E.Y. Harburg / As performed by Count Basie / Arranged by Rick Stitzel
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00117996
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| April in Paris - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| April in Paris - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Piano | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Bass | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Drums | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Vibes | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Flute | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Bb Clarinet 1 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Bb Clarinet 2 | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| April in Paris - Tuba | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Made famous by the Count Basie Orchestra, here is a great-sounding, yet playable version of this standard for developing bands. Including feature spots for every section and optional solos for trumpet and trombone, Rick Stitzel does a nice job of maintaining an authentic sound even in this easy version.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00117996
More about this title
About the Composer: Vernon Duke
Vernon Duke composed music across Broadway, film, and the concert hall during the 20th century, bringing a sophisticated harmonic sensibility to popular song. His collaboration with lyricist E.Y. Harburg produced "April in Paris," which became one of the most recorded standards in jazz, earning its place in the Great American Songbook through its elegant melody and evocative lyrics.
Why we love this
Stitzel's arrangement captures the swagger and smoothness of the Basie sound without overwhelming developing ensembles. Every section gets a moment to shine, and the optional solos give your standout players the chance to step forward while keeping the piece accessible for bands still building their jazz vocabulary.
What to expect
Warm, urbane, and gently swinging. This is music that recalls a sophisticated nightclub in its heyday, full of genuine pleasure rather than flash. The melody unfolds with the kind of grace that makes listeners lean in to pay attention.
Who it's for
Grade 2 ensembles with at least a season of jazz experience, plus any band looking to add a standard that sounds professional without requiring advanced technical demands. Soloists benefit from trumpet and trombone players ready to work on jazz phrasing and taste.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line in the trumpet section against the supporting harmonies; this tune lives or dies by its singing quality, so resist the urge to push for volume at the expense of phrasing.
- Lock the rhythm section's groove early in rehearsals. The drums and bass set the pocket that everything else sits into, so spend dedicated time getting their feel cohesive before layering in horn parts.
- If you use the trumpet and trombone solo spots, give soloists space to breathe and interpret. This is where developing improvisers learn to shape phrases rather than simply read notes.
- Lighten the articulation on eighth notes in the background figures. Many developing players default to too much weight; this arrangement sings when those supporting lines feel effortless.
How to use it
Use this as a concert opener or closer to frame a jazz set with style and accessibility. It works equally well as a morale booster mid-season when your ensemble needs a confidence-building win, or as a programming bridge between straight repertoire and deeper jazz exploration.
Skills your students will build
- Reading jazz swing eighth-note articulation
- Ensemble balance in a sectional jazz setting
- Jazz improvisation (for soloists)
- Phrasing and interpretation within a standard melody
- Following a conductor in jazz contexts