Don't Get Around Much Anymore: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mark Taylor's arrangement captures the essence of this Ellington standard without overcomplicating it for developing players. The medium swing groove sits right in the pocket for Grade 3 ensembles, giving students real jazz feel without the rhythmic or harmonic density that derails younger groups. It's the kind of chart that builds genuine confidence while sounding completely authentic.

Relaxed sophistication. The tune has the ease of something you've known forever, wrapped in just enough harmonic flavor to feel genuinely jazz. There's room for interpretation and personality without demanding virtuosity.

Young jazz ensembles ready to move beyond funk grooves into authentic swing territory. Directors seeking repertoire that teaches jazz idiom through a recognized masterpiece rather than a teaching composition. Players who benefit from seeing how great melodies work in a jazz context.

• Establish the shuffle feel early in sectional rehearsals. Have the rhythm section lock the triplet-based eighth notes before adding melody voices; this foundation makes the whole ensemble swing together.
• Balance the solo sections generously. This tune lives in its exposed melodies, so resist the urge to layer too much underneath the featured lines.
• Keep the tempo conversational. A medium swing around 120 bpm lets the jazz phrasing breathe and gives younger players room to phrase naturally without rushing.
• Shape the call-and-response moments between sections with clear dynamics. The arrangement likely trades phrases between reeds and brass, so mark those conversations in your score to highlight the dialogue.

Pair this with other Ellington works for a thematic concert, or use it as an anchor piece in a jazz standards unit that also includes standards from other eras. It works beautifully as a closer to a lighter set, sending the audience out with a smile and a groove. Consider featuring it as a first solo vehicle for young soloists who need a forgiving, recognizable melody to build their improvisation vocabulary.

• Playing swing eighth notes with triplet feel and proper articulation
• Responding to jazz phrasing and call-and-response textures
• Maintaining consistent groove while navigating section dynamics
• Listening to other ensemble voices to shape balanced jazz voicings
• Understanding how a simple, memorable melody works in a jazz arrangement