Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Young jazz ensembles need arrangements that balance playability with the real sound of jazz, and this version delivers both. John Berry's decision to write brief solos into all four parts means every student gets a moment in the spotlight rather than watching from the section, which shifts the energy in rehearsal and builds individual musicianship alongside ensemble cohesion.

Warm and approachable, with the rhythmic buoyancy of Latin jazz and the melodic familiarity of a standard. The arrangement lets the tune breathe; there's space to hear individual voices, and the brief solos invite players to find their own phrasing rather than asking them to navigate complex improvisation.

Grade 2 jazz ensembles that are still building fundamental skills but ready for more than straight lead sheets. This works equally well for young combos meeting after school or for beginning jazz classes where students need graded material that feels like real music.

• Isolate the solos in sectional rehearsals first. Even though each is brief, they benefit from individual attention before the full group tackles ensemble passages. This removes the anxiety of playing exposed lines.
• Lean into the Latin feel in the accompaniment parts. The rhythm section needs pocket discipline here; ask your rhythm players to lock into the clave or montuno patterns rather than just reading notes.
• Use the tutti sections to establish confidence in young players. The scoring supports them with full harmony, so emphasize that the sections breathe together and no one is carrying the load alone.

Schedule this late in the fall semester or early spring, when students have developed enough ensemble awareness to balance section work with individual exposure. It pairs naturally with other Latin standards or pop arrangements, giving your concert a coherent sound without feeling repetitive.

• reading and performing Latin rhythmic patterns (clave, montuno, tumbao)
• sustaining ensemble balance while featuring individual soloists
• navigating basic jazz phrasing and articulation across sections
• connecting improvisation practice to written solo lines
• responding to steady accompaniment patterns without drifting tempo