Cotton Tail: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00386404
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Tail - Full Score | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Alto Sax | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Tenor Sax | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Vibes | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - C Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Bb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Eb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Bass Clef Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Alternate Alto Sax | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Alternate Tenor Sax | $6.00 | |
| Cotton Tail - Alternate Trombone | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Here's one of the iconic tunes from Duke Ellington in a swingin' chart scored for the little big band format. Mark really gets the most out of just the six horn parts in this great sounding chart! Solo space is included for trombone and alto sax, and then later for piano and trumpet.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00386404
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor is a prolific arranger whose work for jazz ensembles spans decades of educational and professional contexts. His arrangements are known for their clarity, idiomatic writing, and ability to extract full ensemble sound from limited instrumentation without sacrificing musicianship or style.
Why we love this
Taylor's orchestration proves that a six-horn jazz section can deliver the richness and sophistication of a larger band when arranged with this level of craft. The balance of ensemble passages with strategic solo space keeps the piece engaging for both players and listeners, while the Ellington standard itself carries weight and familiarity that resonates in any program.
What to expect
Sophisticated swing that moves with effortless grace. The chart captures Ellington's harmonic sensibility and angular melodic phrasing while maintaining the propulsive energy that defines Cotton Tail. Even with reduced forces, there's an undeniable elegance to the voicing and a sense of forward motion throughout.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles in middle and high school programs, as well as community and college big bands looking for accessible yet substantial repertoire. Directors who want to program an Ellington standard without the instrumentation demands of a full orchestra will find this especially valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the trombone and alto sax solos into the feel of the rhythm section first; once those sections breathe together, the rest of the chart will sit naturally.
- Balance the horn voices during the tutti sections so the top line doesn't overshadow the harmonic movement underneath; this is where the arrangement shows its craft.
- Use the piano and trumpet solos as a chance to spotlight different textures; let the piano solo float a bit more freely while the trumpet solo sits grounded in the swing feel.
- Pay attention to the dynamic relationships between sections; the chart likely uses volume contrast to create space, so resist the urge to play everything with equal weight.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a centerpiece in a jazz-focused concert or as a standalone feature on a mixed repertoire program. Its moderate difficulty and immediate appeal make it ideal for mid-year performance when your ensemble has developed solid fundamentals but doesn't yet need the technical demands of more complex charts.
Skills your students will build
- Swing phrasing and jazz articulation across all voices
- Balance and blend within a six-piece horn section
- Solo accompaniment and comping from the rhythm section
- Reading and executing jazz syncopation and rhythm
- Responding to harmonic movement in real time during solo sections