Blues in the Night: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

$8.00 USD

Blues in the Night: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Name: Blues in the Night: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-JE9818C
Price: 8.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Arr. Calvin Custer

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-JE9818C

$8.00

Shipped

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'Down and dirty' best describes this solid Calvin Custer arrangement of a great old standard. The popularity of this tune has not dimmed over the years, and with Calvin's impeccable voicings, the chart sounds harder than it actually plays. Remember also that all the titles in this series are playable with reduced instrumentation. This is a great opportunity for your students to share some historical jazz music! (4:04)

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Series: Young Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 029156911961

SKU: 00-JE9818C

More about this title

About the Arranger: Calvin Custer

Calvin Custer has established himself as one of the most prolific and respected arrangers in jazz education, with decades of experience writing accessible yet musically sophisticated charts for student ensembles. His arrangements are prized for their balance of authentic jazz language and pedagogical thoughtfulness, allowing younger players to sound mature without overwhelming them with technical demands.

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Why we love this

Custer's voicings here are genuinely inventive without becoming pretentious, and the arrangement sits beautifully on student instruments across the range of abilities. The chart respects the standard's swagger and bluesy soul while remaining entirely playable at Grade 2, making it a rare piece that sounds considerably more sophisticated than its difficulty level suggests.

What to expect

Blues in the Night swaggers from the opening measures, all minor-tinged melancholy and late-night club atmosphere. The arrangement captures the standard's inherent moodiness while maintaining a propulsive, slightly rough-edged groove that makes students feel like they're playing real jazz.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level that want to dig into legitimate jazz repertoire without getting bogged down in technical hurdles. This arrangement works equally well for groups with solid fundamentals and those still building their jazz vocabulary.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody between sections to let the tune sing through the ensemble; avoid letting any one voice dominate the harmony.
Lean into the blues phrasing and articulation to capture the 'down and dirty' character—straight eighths and clipped releases will undermine the groove.
Experiment with reduced instrumentation as suggested in the notes; some sections may speak even more clearly with fewer players, giving soloists room to breathe.
Use the 4:04 length to calibrate pacing; rush this tune and you lose the swagger, drag it and it feels sluggish.

How to use it

Pair this with other standards or jazz classics from the Young Jazz Ensemble series to build a concert around the American songbook tradition. It's equally at home in a concert dedicated to mid-20th-century jazz or as a showcasing piece that demonstrates your ensemble's jazz chops early in the season.