Cot in the Act: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Goodwin writes with the ear of someone who has orchestrated for film and television; every section has a moment to shine, and the soloists never feel like afterthoughts. The funky piano intro alone grabs attention, but what keeps conductors returning to this chart is how cleanly it sits in the ensemble. All seven players have real solo space, and the rhythmic pocket is so grooved that even developing jazz ensembles lock in quickly.

Infectious and contemporary, with a swagger that comes from the opening piano vamp. The piece grooves with genuine funk DNA; it's the kind of chart that makes your ensemble sound like they've been playing together for years, even if they haven't.

Jazz ensemble directors working with advanced high school or college groups who want a piece that sounds professional and radio-ready. This chart demands solid jazz chops from all players, particularly the soloists, but rewards that investment with immediate musicianship growth and audience engagement.

• Let the piano intro breathe and establish the groove before the band enters; this is your foundation for the entire chart's pocket.
• Balance the solo section carefully so each improviser is clearly heard over the rhythm section without the full ensemble drowning them out.
• Lock the drummer and bassist together first, then build the guitar and piano around that foundation; the groove will anchor everything else.
• Emphasize the "hip" quality Goodwin built into this chart by keeping articulations clean and synchronized, especially in the ensemble hits.

Program this as an opener or showcase piece on a jazz concert where you want to establish energy and command attention right away. It also works beautifully alongside other Goodwin Little Phat Band arrangements, creating a cohesive set that demonstrates your ensemble's breadth and contemporary repertoire.

• Soloing over extended chord changes with rhythmic flexibility
• Locked ensemble comping and sectional balance in a funk-oriented groove
• Jazz articulation, dynamics, and phrasing at an advanced level
• Listening and responding to other soloists in real time
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures across all parts