Cheek to Cheek (Key: Ab) (arr. Mark Taylor): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mark Taylor's arrangement captures the effervescent charm of Berlin's melody while giving your ensemble room to breathe. The full ensemble feature section transforms a vocal showcase into a moment where everyone on stage contributes to the joy, and the key sits naturally for female singers without requiring uncomfortable transposition.

Sophisticated without pretension, swinging with genuine ease, and infused with the glamour of 1930s movie magic. The arrangement invites dancers into the room even when there isn't one, and listeners find themselves transported to a world where elegance and joy are inseparable.

Jazz ensembles seeking a standard that programs well for spring concerts and jazz festivals, directors who want to feature a vocalist without relying on playback tracks, and groups ready to tackle Grade 3-4 writing that demands musicality alongside technical accuracy.

• Balance the vocalist's entrance with light, responsive accompaniment from the rhythm section; Berlin's melody carries itself, so resist the urge to oversell the early phrases.
• Shape the ensemble feature section with dynamic clarity so each section's contribution lands distinctly rather than blending into a wall of sound.
• Let the natural swing of the groove emerge from the drums and bass before layering in brass and reeds; this prevents rushing during the faster passages.
• Articulate the background figures behind the vocal line with precision; they frame the melody rather than compete with it.

Pair this with other Irving Berlin standards or early American songbook material to build a coherent set; it works beautifully as a second-half opener that lifts the energy after a more introspective piece. It's equally at home in a jazz showcase, a pops concert, or a special event where sophistication and accessibility matter equally.

• Swinging articulation and phrasing in ensemble contexts
• Balancing and supporting a solo vocalist
• Voicing clarity in block harmonies
• Listening and responding to rhythm section groove
• Reading and executing jazz stylistic conventions (slash chord notation, swing feel indication)