Funkytown (arr. John Berry): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Lipps Inc. / Arranged by John Berry
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00477321
$45.00
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Description
Originally a pop hit in 1980 and recently featured in the blockbuster movie Shrek 2, your audiences and players will love this funky and catchy chart. Includes a short written or ad lib. solo for alto sax as well as all the well-known riffs. Enjoy great flexibility with the Easy Jazz Ensemble series! Playable with 4 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and rhythm.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00477321
More about this title
About the Artist: Lipps Inc.
Lipps Inc. emerged from Minneapolis in the late 1970s as a disco and funk powerhouse, with "Funkytown" becoming their signature hit and one of the defining songs of the 1980 pop landscape. The track's infectious groove and instantly recognizable hook made it a cultural phenomenon, and its recent feature in Shrek 2 introduced the song to a new generation of listeners who recognize its energy immediately.
Why we love this
John Berry's arrangement captures everything that makes the original irresistible while giving your ensemble room to breathe and own the groove. The built-in flexibility means you can perform it as written or adapt the alto sax solo to match your section's strengths, and audiences light up the moment those opening riffs hit.
What to expect
Infectious, groovy, and impossible to sit still through. The bass line drives the motion forward while the brass and reeds lock into unison and harmonized figures that feel both modern and nostalgic, creating that irresistible disco funk energy that defined an era.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want a crowd-pleaser that doesn't demand advanced reading or complex harmonic language. Both student musicians and listeners know this tune, which means you get immediate engagement and the satisfaction of performing something genuinely fun.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into a tight, consistent groove before the band joins in; the pocket matters more than precision here.
- Let the alto saxophonist shape the written solo musically rather than mechanically; this is a moment to build character and showcase personality.
- Balance the riff textures between saxes and brass so the signature melodic hooks cut through without sounding thin or overpowering.
- Keep the energy level consistent from top to bottom; this chart lives and dies by whether the ensemble commits to the funk feel.
How to use it
Slip this into a spring concert to give your audience and ensemble a tonal shift from heavier repertoire; it pairs well on programs that mix standards with contemporary pop arrangements. It also works beautifully as an opener to establish a relaxed, celebratory mood before moving into more demanding selections.
Skills your students will build
- Executing syncopated rhythmic figures across ensemble sections
- Maintaining consistent groove feel and subdivision
- Reading and executing scored riffs in unison and parts
- Balancing solo improvisation or written passages within an ensemble texture
- Responding to strong rhythmic and metric clarity