City Dock: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

This is exactly what a Grade 3 jazz chart should be: rhythmically tight, memorable, and full of character without overcomplicating the ensemble. The touch Ragsdale brings from his Navy Band experience means the writing actually works for student players while keeping enough personality that they feel like they're playing real jazz, not a simplified version of it.

This piece swings hard from the opening. The saxes carry a melody that feels effortless and bluesy, while the rhythm section keeps everything moving with infectious groove. When the soloists step into the light—trombone, tenor saxophone, piano—the ensemble becomes something more intimate, yet the horns never quite let go of the energy.

Jazz ensemble directors working with advancing intermediate students who are ready for real swing feel and harmonic movement without extreme technical demands. This works equally well for a beginning college jazz ensemble or a strong high school group.

• Lock the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) in rehearsal before layering in the horns; the key changes demand precision from the foundation
• Give the saxophone section time to lock in the melody, especially across the key changes, so it sits confidently above the ensemble
• Balance the trombone solo carefully against the rhythm section; it should float, not compete
• The drum kicks are written for a reason—work them out as a conversation between drums and horns rather than as mere percussion punctuation

Program this as the centerpiece of a jazz concert, where it can showcase both ensemble musicianship and individual soloists. It also works beautifully as a set-closer, leaving the audience on a swinging, upbeat note without feeling frivolous.

• Navigating key changes within a single piece
• Playing and comping behind jazz soloists
• Executing written drum hits as ensemble gestures
• Balancing melody against harmonic movement in a swing style
• Reading and executing jazz rhythmic notation