Crazy Little Thing Called Love (arr. Roger Holmes): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Queen / As performed by Dwight Yoakam
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00429406
$55.00
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Description
Recorded by Queen in 1979, this iconic hit adapts beautifully for vocal soloist with jazz ensemble with its rollicking shuffle style and infectious simplicity and charm. Definitely a "feel good" tune!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00429406
More about this title
About the Artist: Queen
Queen emerged from the British rock scene in the early 1970s and became one of the era's most innovative and commercially successful bands. Their 1979 hit "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" showcased the group's ability to craft infectious pop hooks and accessible melodies without sacrificing musical sophistication, demonstrating why their work translates so effectively to jazz ensemble settings.
Why we love this
Roger Holmes captures the track's contagious energy while writing idiomatically for jazz voices and horns. The arrangement lands right in that sweet spot where students get to play something genuinely fun and recognizable without oversimplifying the musical content. Your ensemble will feel the swagger of the original while developing real jazz skills.
What to expect
Upbeat and optimistic, with the kind of playful swagger that makes audiences smile. The shuffle rhythm and punchy horn lines create momentum that pulls listeners in immediately, while the melodic hook stays with them long after the final note.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level that want a crowd-pleasing opener or closer with real substance. This works equally well for groups prioritizing musicianship and those looking to build student enthusiasm through familiar material.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the shuffle feel in the rhythm section from the first rehearsal. This is the groove's heartbeat, and everything locks in once your drummer and bassist establish it together.
- Balance the vocal soloist against the ensemble so the melody sits forward but the horn counterlines shine through. Neither should disappear.
- Keep the tempo bouncy but controlled. The shuffle can rush if energy overtakes precision, so set a click and stick with it.
- Let the ensemble sections swing naturally rather than playing them mechanically. Queen's original has personality; yours should too.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to set a celebratory tone, or program it as an encore that sends the audience home energized. It pairs naturally with other 1970s and 1980s pop crossovers and gives your jazz ensemble visibility with listeners who might not otherwise catch them on the schedule.
Skills your students will build
- Swing eighth notes and shuffle feel
- Reading and executing jazz phrasing and articulation
- Ensemble balance between solo and section parts
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop and rock grooves
- Stylistically informed interpretation of a commercial recording