Duke's Place: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Russell L. Robinson's arrangement unlocks the essence of an Ellington standard for mixed voices, bringing the sophistication of the original without requiring jazz specialists in your choir. The recorded accompaniment captures authentic jazz styling and gives students a genuine groove to sing against, transforming rehearsal time into a master class in jazz phrasing and ensemble cohesion.

A sophisticated urban groove with swagger and polish. The arrangement captures Ellington's gift for elegance within an accessible framework, creating music that feels both relaxed and precisely crafted. There's an undeniable coolness here, paired with the kind of melodic beauty that makes singers want to linger on each phrase.

Mixed choirs at the high school or adult level who are comfortable with contemporary idioms and ready to explore jazz repertoire. Directors seeking a stylistically authentic Ellington piece that doesn't require a separate jazz ensemble or extensive jazz training to execute well. Singers developing flexibility in rhythm, phrasing, and harmonic awareness.

• Study the recorded accompaniment first as a full ensemble so everyone hears the style, groove, and harmonic movement in context before sectionals begin.
• Pay close attention to the syncopation and swing feel; this isn't straight rhythmic reading. Have singers listen to how the accompaniment interprets the beat and ask them to mirror that elasticity.
• Balance the parts carefully during rehearsal. Jazz arrangements thrive when inner voices lock in with precision while the melodic line floats above with freedom.
• Use the recorded accompaniment at performance tempo during the final week of rehearsal to build confidence and lock the ensemble timing together.

Pair this with other standards or jazz-influenced pieces to create a dedicated jazz or American songbook set within a larger concert. It works equally well as a standalone feature number that showcases your choir's range and versatility to audiences beyond the school community. Consider programming it mid-concert where the energy and style shift can reset audience attention.

• Singing with swing feel and syncopated rhythms
• Interpreting jazz phrasing and articulation from a recorded reference
• Balancing jazz harmony voicings in a choral texture
• Ensemble listening and rhythmic independence within a groove
• Understanding the relationship between vocal melody and jazz accompaniment