Cissy Strut: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Rick Stitzel's arrangement captures the infectious swagger of the original while keeping the part demands accessible for developing ensembles. The writing distributes the iconic bass line across your low reed and brass sections, which means multiple players experience the responsibility of carrying the groove. That combination of authenticity and teachability makes this a rare find for jazz programs.

Bouncy and propulsive, with a strut that invites movement. The arrangement swings with an easy confidence, the kind of feel that makes audiences recognize the tune immediately and ensemble members grin while they play. It's funk built on clarity and pocket rather than complexity, which means the energy comes from precision and pocket, not from notes on the page.

Jazz ensembles working at the Grade 1.5 level who want a rhythm and blues staple that teaches groove fundamentals without overwhelming inexperienced readers. Directors seeking repertoire that connects students to real recorded history and demonstrates how a simple, effective bass line anchors an entire arrangement will find this essential. The piece works equally well as a teaching tool or a high-energy concert selection.

• Lock the trombone, tenor, and baritone sax section into a unified groove on the signature bass line; any rhythmic separation in that foundation undermines the entire arrangement.
• Keep the tutti riff sections tight and articulated without sacrificing swing feel; the contrast between punchy hits and the laid-back pocket is what sells the funk.
• Shape the bass and drum solo breaks with clear phrasing and space rather than rushing the tempo, which allows the soloists to breathe and the band to settle back in smoothly.
• Balance the saxophone and trumpet soli so they sit in front without drowning out the ensemble riffs behind them; this is a conversation, not a spotlight moment.

Place this in a concert focused on soul, funk, and American vernacular styles to give students a direct line to recorded history. The Grade 1.5 difficulty makes it a strong early-season building block for developing reading chops while the cultural weight and recognizability keep rehearsals engaging. Consider pairing it with other New Orleans influenced material or contrasting it with bebop standards to show stylistic range.

• Funk rhythm feel and pocket awareness
• Reading and executing syncopated ensemble riffs
• Balancing unison bass lines across multiple instrumental families
• Solo space listening and responsive comping
• Articulation clarity in fast rhythmic figures