Blue Suede Shoes (arr. Kirby Shaw): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Elvis Presley / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00461824
$30.00
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Description
The Exploration Jazz Series is designed for jazz choirs just getting started. While the harmonies may be a bit simpler than more advanced charts, the style is planted firmly in the historically authentic manner that Kirby brings to all of his arrangements.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00461824
More about this title
About the Artist: Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley emerged from Memphis in the mid-1950s and became the defining voice of rock and roll's earliest era. His influence on popular music remains immeasurable, shaping how singers approached phrasing, rhythmic feel, and emotional directness for generations to come. For choral musicians, his catalog offers essential repertoire that bridges classical training with vernacular American idiom.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement stays faithful to the swagger and energy of the original while keeping the harmonic language accessible for developing jazz choirs. The Exploration Jazz Series proves that foundational voicings don't require sacrificing authenticity or groove; your singers get to inhabit a genuine musical style from day one rather than work through simplified approximations.
What to expect
Playful and confident. The tune carries the infectious ease of early rock and roll, all kinetic energy and attitude, but Kirby's voicing keeps things musically sophisticated. Singing this should feel both approachable and genuinely cool.
Who it's for
Developing jazz choirs ready to explore authentic repertoire without overwhelming complexity. This arrangement works for singers who've built basic ensemble skills and are prepared to engage with swing feel and syncopated rhythms in a real performance context.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal; this tune lives in the space between the beat, and precision in the rhythm section will anchor your singers' confidence.
- Shape the melody with period-appropriate phrasing by listening closely to how Shaw has notated the articulation and dynamics.
- Build the energy gradually across the form rather than starting at full intensity; you'll have more room to grow into the climax.
- Balance the parts so the story of the melody remains clear even when all voices are singing; Elvis made his words unmissable.
How to use it
Pair this with other accessible standards from the Exploration Jazz Series to build a cohesive jazz concert set that showcases stylistic range without jumping to advanced material. It's equally effective as an opener that catches the audience's ear immediately or as a crowd-pleasing closer that sends everyone home smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythm and syncopation in a structured, repeatable context
- Balancing blend with individual phrase articulation in jazz texture
- Reading and executing period-appropriate phrasing in early rock and roll idiom
- Ensemble precision in rhythmic figures that anchor the groove