Dancing Where The Music Is Hot: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Bright, playful, and propulsive. The bebop language creates a sense of sophisticated fun, like the music is in on its own joke. From the downbeat, your ensemble will feel the swing and want to move with it.

Jazz ensembles looking for a vocal feature that brings character and humor to a concert. Works equally well in a traditional big band setting or a smaller combo, since the arrangement adapts to ensemble size.

• Lock the tempo early in rehearsal. The three-minute arc depends on consistent forward motion, and even slight rubato in the wrong places will drag the energy.
• Balance the lead vocal high enough that the lyrics cut through the ensemble figures. This number lives and dies by the humor and personality of the vocalist.
• Encourage the rhythm section to listen actively for the vocal phrasing. Jazz ensemble parts written this way reward musicians who follow rather than push the beat.

Use this as an opener or second piece when you need to establish energy and set a lighter tone. It pairs well with a blues or a ballad, giving you a natural programming arc within a set.

• Singing over syncopated ensemble figures
• Responding to bebop rhythmic language and phrasing
• Ensemble balance when accompanying a featured soloist
• Flexibility with ensemble size and instrumentation