Blues in the Night: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arr. Calvin Custer
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0002451
$44.00
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Description
'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)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Blues in the Night: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
53
SKU:
00-PK-0002451
More about this title
About the Arranger: Calvin Custer
Calvin Custer has built a distinguished career arranging jazz literature for student ensembles, with a particular gift for making sophisticated harmonic language accessible to developing players. His arrangements balance authentic jazz voicings with practical playability, allowing young musicians to engage with the real sounds of the idiom without being overwhelmed by technical demands.
Why we love this
Custer's voicings give this standard genuine grit and maturity; the chart sits squarely in the sweet spot where students feel they're playing something substantial without getting buried in complexity. The reduced instrumentation option means you can program it regardless of who shows up on rehearsal day, and the 4-minute runtime makes it an ideal complement to longer concert pieces.
What to expect
The arrangement delivers genuine blues character. Tight, soulful, with enough sophistication in the harmonies to keep experienced listeners engaged while remaining direct and unpretentious. It swings with a slightly darker edge, living up to the 'down and dirty' spirit of the original.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble directors working with Grade 2 (Medium Easy) groups who want to program authentic jazz standards without requiring a full, unwavering instrumentation. This works equally well for contest/festival preparation or a concert celebrating the blues tradition, and scales down gracefully if your ensemble is smaller than ideal.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the rhythm section lock in first. The groove drives everything; once bass and drums establish a solid pocket, the horns will sit naturally into the blues feel.
- Shape the dynamic arc across the full performance length. A 4-minute chart needs breathing room; resist the urge to stay loud throughout, and use the quieter passages to set up payoff moments.
- Communicate the standard's history before the first rehearsal. Students play this music with more conviction when they know they're connecting to decades of jazz tradition, not just executing a chart.
How to use it
Pair this with other Custer Young Jazz Ensemble titles to build a cohesive set, or program it alongside classical jazz repertoire to show the blues as foundational American music. Its medium length and accessible difficulty make it ideal for a mid-concert transition piece that energizes both students and audience.
Skills your students will build
- Blues chord progression recognition and harmonic understanding
- Swing eighths and jazz articulation
- Section blend and intonation in close voicings
- Reading lead sheets and jazz notation conventions
- Ensemble listening and responding to groove-based rhythm section
- Solo improvisation opportunities (if adapted for student soloists)