Con Alma (arr. Michael Mossman): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Mossman's arrangement respects Gillespie's compositional voice while building genuine complexity into the ensemble writing. Rather than settling for a simple head repeated over rhythm section vamps, the backgrounds shape the piece's narrative arc, and the soli sections give your section players real moments to shine individually within a cohesive arrangement. The inclusion of rhythm section only tracks means you can rehearse horn voicings and comping approaches separately, then integrate them seamlessly once the ensemble is secure.

Con Alma swings with an easy confidence, grounded in a steady Afro-Cuban pulse that feels both familiar and exotic. The moderate tempo and even eighth note approach create an inviting groove, warm and approachable rather than frenetic, while the harmonic movement hints at deeper sophistication beneath the accessible surface. When the ensemble locks in, the piece radiates the joy that Gillespie brought to every performance.

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level benefit from repertoire that challenges musicianship without requiring virtuosic soloing from every section member. This arrangement suits groups with solid ensemble fundamentals and at least a few capable soloists who can navigate jazz comping and trading. It's equally valuable for a first-year jazz band eager to play something with real harmonic substance or a more experienced group looking to deepen their Latin jazz vocabulary.

• Lock the even eighth note feel before worrying about phrasing. Afro-Cuban grooves live and die on rhythmic precision, especially in the piano and bass parts. Record a short rehearsal clip of just the rhythm section and have the ensemble listen critically to their own execution.
• Treat the ensemble soli sections as conversations rather than individual statements. Each soloist should acknowledge the backgrounds supporting them, adjusting dynamics and phrasing to sit within the orchestration instead of dominating it.
• Study the original recording alongside this arrangement. Gillespie's tone and articulation set a benchmark for the melodic clarity you'll want from your lead trumpet player, and the rhythm section's pocket is worth imitating directly.

Pair this with other Latin jazz standards to build a compelling set that showcases your ensemble's range within the genre, or use it as a statement piece on a mixed jazz concert where you want to demonstrate comfort with rhythmic styles beyond swing. The moderate difficulty makes it an excellent choice for a spring concert after your group has had time to develop confidence and intonation across the ensemble.

• Reading and executing even eighth note rhythms in an Afro-Cuban context
• Balancing individual voice independence with ensemble cohesion in background figures
• Responding to and supporting soloists through comping and section awareness
• Interpreting articulation and phrasing in a Latin jazz idiom
• Trading improvised phrases while maintaining the groove and harmonic structure