Cashmere Cutie: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Strayhorn wrote this chart to balance harmonic sophistication with genuine playability. The voicings sound like Ellington's orchestra at its most elegant, yet the part writing avoids unnecessary complexity for complexity's sake. The flexibility built into the arrangement (improvised or written piano intro, optional flute part) respects both the conductor's vision and the ensemble's capabilities, making this a chart that deepens musicians' understanding of how beautiful composition and practical musicianship work together.

Cashmere Cutie swings with relaxed sophistication. The voicings are warm and lush without feeling heavy; the melody moves with the ease of a conversation between old friends. This is a chart that rewards attentive listening and draws audiences into the subtle architecture of Strayhorn's compositional craft.

Intermediate to advanced jazz ensembles with solid section balance across saxes, trumpets, and trombones. The optional alternate piano introduction makes this accessible to groups whose pianists are still developing their jazz facility, while the written version challenges those ready to tackle Strayhorn's harmonic language head-on.

• Treat the piano introduction as an opportunity to establish the chart's character: the written version showcases Strayhorn's sophistication, but a skilled pianist can use it as a springboard for personal expression. Either approach works; choose based on your ensemble's strengths and what you want the piece to communicate.
• Balance the tenor 1/clarinet doubling carefully in the ensemble texture. The clarinet adds warmth to specific passages, but it must sit behind rather than cut through the saxes. Rehearse this section with both instruments present to nail the blend.
• Let the swing feel breathe at 132-138 BPM. This is a medium tempo where rhythmic precision matters enormously; even slight rushing or dragging will undermine the piece's elegant flow. Use a steady click in early rehearsals, then remove it once the section internalizes the groove.
• The sophisticated voicings demand careful intonation, especially in the saxophone section. Build rehearsal time specifically for vertical sonority checks; this piece rewards the tuning work you invest.

Place this on a concert where it can anchor a set of mid-century standards, or pair it with another Strayhorn composition to highlight his compositional range. The medium tempo and accessible swing style make it an ideal choice for a spring jazz concert, and the writing gives audiences a window into the sophisticated orchestration that defined the Ellington legacy.

• Reading and balancing jazz voicings across the ensemble
• Intonation in chordal writing (specifically tuning major sevenths, ninths, and suspended harmonies)
• Medium-tempo swing articulation and phrasing
• Doubling flexibility (managing clarinet and flute doublings without losing saxophone balance)
• Interpreting optional parts and multiple versions of written material