Everybody Needs Somebody to Love: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Wilson Pickett / As performed by The Blues Brothers / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00308863
$50.00
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Description
Recorded in the '60s by artists such as Wilson Pickett and The Rolling Stones, this gospel-flavored hit was then famously featured in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers". Paul Murtha's rockin' arrangement for young jazz ensemble brings out all the excitement and rhythmic energy of a Blues Brothers performance.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00308863
More about this title
About the Artist: Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett earned his reputation as the 'Wicked' Pickett through a raw, emotionally direct vocal style that cut through every arrangement he touched. His 1966 recording of 'Everybody Needs Somebody to Love' captured the soul and urgency of the song in a way that established it as a standard, blending gospel roots with R&B intensity.
For music educators, Pickett's work demonstrates how a vocalist's authentic connection to material shapes interpretation and performance energy. His influence on later artists, including the Blues Brothers' iconic version, shows how powerful material remains when artists commit fully to its emotional core.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha captures the propulsive groove and infectious energy of the Blues Brothers' era without requiring your ensemble to navigate unnecessary complexity. This arrangement respects the song's structural simplicity while delivering the tight, locked-in feel that makes younger players sound genuinely professional in performance.
What to expect
Infectious and celebratory, with a rhythm and blues backbone that makes you want to move. The arrangement radiates the joyful, slightly raucous spirit of a Blues Brothers stage show while remaining accessible to young players.
Who it's for
Grade 3 jazz ensembles seeking repertoire that energizes audiences and builds student confidence through recognizable material. It works equally well for programs aiming to bridge jazz study with popular music familiarity.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the groove around the rhythm section. Lock the bass line and snare pattern tight before layering horns; this creates the pocket that carries the whole arrangement.
- Treat the horn punches as a conversational element with the vocal line rather than static hits. They should feel responsive and alive.
- Let the blues tonality breathe. Flatten those third and seventh scale degrees intentionally; intonation here isn't about playing 'in tune' in the classical sense, but in the pocket of the blues.
- Keep the tempo consistent and grooving. This song lives or dies by rhythmic confidence, not precision perfection.
How to use it
Pair this with other soul or funk standards to create a cohesive set that speaks to contemporary audiences. It's ideal as an encore number or centerpiece for a pop-influenced concert, and the cultural touchstone of the Blues Brothers film gives directors natural talking points about musical arrangement and adaptation.
Skills your students will build
- Locking into a steady groove and maintaining pocket feel
- Blues tonality and the idiomatic use of flattened scale degrees
- Responding to rhythmic and melodic cues from other sections
- Balancing ensemble cohesion with individual voice independence