Darn That Dream: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mike Tomaro's arrangement distills the sophistication of this standard into a format that works beautifully for student ensembles. The tight voicings and bossa nova context give the piece a modern refresh without stripping away the melody's inherent elegance, and the six-horn configuration sits comfortably in what most ensembles can field.

Smooth and unhurried, like an evening spent with people you're comfortable with. The bossa nova framework keeps things gently swaying while the rich harmonies and conversational melody line create an atmosphere of quiet confidence.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate to advancing level who need a sophisticated standard that doesn't require a large horn section or complicated extended techniques. This works for groups looking to add a swinging ballad to their book without the density of bebop writing.

• Balance the front-line melody against the horn section harmonies; the smoothness of this arrangement depends on the saxes being heard clearly but not dominating the overall blend.
• Lock the rhythm section into a relaxed, half-time-feel groove that lets the bossa nova pattern breathe rather than pushing the tempo forward.
• Shape the phrase endings with subtle rubato in the melody line to capture the unhurried elegance of the ballad, even within the bossa rhythm.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a reference for tempo and groove pocket, but record your own section to capture the exact personality of your band.

Place this as a mid-set ballad to reset the energy between up-tempo charts, or use it to open a concert if you want to establish sophistication and control from the first tune. It pairs well with other standards from Tomaro's catalog or with contemporary jazz pieces that share similar harmonic vocabulary.

• Balancing melody and harmony voices within a single ensemble
• Playing with legit ballad phrasing in a jazz context
• Locking into bossa nova rhythmic patterns and maintaining a relaxed pulse
• Reading and executing tight jazz voicings with intonation accuracy
• Listening for overall blend while maintaining individual voice independence