Chase the Clouds Away: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Chuck Mangione / arr. Mike Lewis
Item: 00-PK-0004515
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Description
Need a pretty ballad? Chase the Clouds Away is ideal for the young player as arranged by Mike Lewis; this one has plenty of unisons and harmony in thirds. No individual solos and the 1st-trumpet range goes only to written third-space C. Smooth, lyrical and easy to put together, this haunting ballad is the ideal choice for every performance. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Chase the Clouds Away: 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:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
50
SKU:
00-PK-0004515
More about this title
About the Composer: Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione is a trumpeter and composer whose flugelhorn-driven style helped define smooth jazz and contemporary instrumental music. His work emphasizes melodic accessibility and emotional directness, making his compositions natural choices for educational ensembles seeking material that connects with young players through lyrical beauty rather than technical showmanship.
Why we love this
Mike Lewis's arrangement strips away complexity without sacrificing musicality, letting young ensembles focus on ensemble cohesion and phrasing rather than individual heroics. The unison writing and thirds harmony build confidence while maintaining the emotional core that makes this ballad memorable; it's the kind of piece that sounds polished after solid rehearsal without requiring virtuosos.
What to expect
Haunting and introspective, with a lyrical warmth that unfolds gradually. The piece invites players to listen to one another and shape phrases together, creating a meditative quality that feels sophisticated despite its accessibility.
Who it's for
Young jazz ensembles looking for a ballad that builds ensemble playing without overwhelming inexperienced soloists. This works well for groups transitioning from method book etudes to real jazz literature and for directors seeking accessible contest or festival material.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody through subtle dynamic shaping rather than dramatic swells; a ballad this lyrical benefits from restraint and letting the harmony support the line.
- Balance the trumpet section carefully in unison passages so the line sings as one voice without anyone dominating the texture.
- Maintain consistent harmonic blend in the thirds figures; this is where younger players often expose intonation, so spend rehearsal time locking the voicing vertically.
- Set a breathing pattern early and enforce it across the ensemble so the phrasing feels deliberate and unified rather than ragged.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece for a younger jazz group, pairing it with uptempo selections to showcase range. It also serves well as a festival entry where musicality and balance matter more than technical dazzle, or as a featured warmup piece early in the season to establish ensemble listening habits.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and harmony in ensemble contexts
- Maintaining consistent intonation in sustained harmonic textures
- Shaping phrasing collaboratively without a conductor's constant input
- Reading and playing jazz articulation and style with accuracy