Drivin': 1st B-flat Trumpet

Re's groove sits in your students' ears and bodies immediately. The written-out solos for tenor and trombone give young improvisers concrete models to learn from, while the ensemble backgrounds stay active enough to keep the whole band engaged. This is the kind of shuffle that makes rehearsal fun and lands with real impact in performance.

Hip and propulsive. The shuffle has enough forward motion to energize a room, but the voicing and harmonic choices keep it grounded and intentional rather than generic. There's warmth underneath the drive.

Jazz ensemble directors looking for material that grabs students immediately and rewards careful ensemble work. The written solos make it accessible to groups developing improvisation skills, while the groove and voicing sophistication keep experienced players engaged.

• Lock the comping and rhythm section into the same subdivision of the shuffle feel before addressing melody. A unified groove underneath will carry everything else.
• Have tenor and trombone soloists work with a practice recording to internalize the underlying harmony and phrasing before attempting to modify or personalize the written lines.
• Bring out the drum solo moment as a genuine feature, not a throwaway section. It deserves space, clarity, and the ensemble's full attention in rehearsal.
• Check the lead trumpet's written range expectations early. If high A is uncomfortable for your section, the optional D notation gives you flexibility without losing the voicing integrity.

Use this as a standalone feature on a jazz concert to showcase your ensemble's groove and give soloists a moment to shine, or pair it with a set of contrasting jazz standards to demonstrate range. The accessibility makes it a strong choice for spring concerts or informal performance settings.

• Executing shuffle feels with consistent subdivision and swing
• Accompanying soloists with dynamic, responsive ensemble parts
• Interpreting written jazz solos as launching points for personal phrasing
• Reading and executing tight ensemble backgrounds in jazz context
• Balancing technical precision with a relaxed, groove-based sensibility