Feelin' the Funk: Trombone 1

This score captures the groove and attitude of funk without losing sight of what makes it singable and playable at Grade 3. Morales gives every section memorable material: the horns land a flashy soli, the rhythm section gets a legitimate moment to breathe and interact independently, and your drummer becomes a centerpiece rather than a timekeeper. The combination of James Brown-inspired energy with authentic New Orleans flavor keeps audiences engaged while keeping your ensemble's skill level the priority.

A celebration of American funk and soul grooves filtered through a New Orleans sensibility. The piece lands somewhere between a James Brown workout and a Tower of Power groove, with moments of swagger and swagger-free pocket that feel both modern and timeless.

Grade 3 jazz ensembles looking for repertoire with real personality and entertainment value. This works for groups with developing chops who still need clear, supportive writing but want to sound confident and contemporary.

• Lock the groove in the rhythm section first. The funk feel depends entirely on the pocket your bass, drums, and guitar establish together; let them rehearse independently before bringing the horns in.
• Shape the horn soli with dynamics and articulation clarity. These passages are meant to shine, so encourage precise tonguing and consistent tone across the section for maximum impact.
• Give your drummer freedom during the ending jam. This is their feature moment; make sure they understand the form and have rehearsed transitions while knowing they can explore within the groove.
• Balance the New Orleans melody against the funk foundation. The tune should sit comfortably in front of the rhythm without the horns overpowering the pocket underneath.

Program this as a crowd-pleaser in a jazz concert or festival setting where you want to showcase your ensemble's rhythmic maturity and personality. It pairs well alongside both traditional jazz standards and contemporary pieces, and the independent drum feature makes it a natural finale that leaves audiences with energy.

• Funk and New Orleans groove vocabulary
• Balancing ensemble blend across horn soli
• Reading and playing in medium swing and funk feels
• Rhythmic independence in a horn section (phrasing against the rhythm section)
• Drum feature execution and interactive playing with the ensemble