Chicks Dig It: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Berg writes with a clear sense of what works in a jazz ensemble setting. The laid-back funk groove and accessible Grade 3.5 voicings make this immediately playable while the optional tenor solo, flute, and vibes create natural ways to feature different sections and rotate soloists through your rehearsals.

Relaxed and hip, with a groovy backbone that locks the rhythm section and lets the front line float comfortably over the pocket. The optional colors (flute, vibes) add dimension without complication, and the suggested tenor solo invitation gives the tune a conversational quality that keeps players engaged.

Conductors leading mid-level jazz ensembles who want a straightforward, energetic funk chart that plays well without requiring advanced harmonic or rhythmic sophistication. The piece works equally well for a young big band still building fundamentals or a community college ensemble looking for fresh repertoire with solo opportunities.

• Lock the feel at 100 BPM during early rehearsals by having the rhythm section count the tune for 8 bars before the band enters; this prevents the groove from drifting as players adjust to the funk pocket.
• Balance the slap bass licks with the ensemble by asking the bass player to clearly articulate the slaps without overwhelming the front line during head statements.
• Feature your tenor soloist by having the rhythm section drop into a vamp during the solo section; this creates air for the improviser and keeps the band engaged while listening.
• If using the flute option, ensure the flute player knows whether they're doubling the lead trumpet or taking an independent counterline, settled before rehearsals begin.

Program this at a winter concert or spring jazz showcase where you want to show your ensemble's command of straight-ahead funk grooves. The six-minute duration sits perfectly in the middle of a set, and the accessibility of the chart means rehearsal time stays focused on feel and phrasing rather than note-reading problems.

• Maintaining a steady jazz funk groove at quarter note = 100 BPM
• Reading and executing slap bass figures in a jazz context
• Trading solos and managing ensemble texture during a featured improvisation
• Playing optional parts flexibly (choosing whether to use flute, vibes, or both)
• Balancing lead trumpet register up to written B with ensemble sonority