Grazing in the Grass (arr. Rick Stitzel): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Rick Stitzel's arrangement keeps all the swagger and pocket groove of the original while making it genuinely playable for young ensembles. The option to feature either a trumpet soloist or the full section on Masekela's transcribed solo gives you flexibility in casting and lets students experience a real jazz melody that sits perfectly under their fingers.

Sunny and effortless, with a laid-back swagger that feels instantly familiar yet distinctly African. The chart captures that carefree moment when the groove locks in and everyone's riding the same pocket together.

Young jazz ensembles ready to tackle a real jazz standard with infectious energy but without overwhelming complexity. This works for middle school through early high school players who want to build confidence playing jazz idioms and grooving together.

• Keep the groove laid back and relaxed. This isn't a march; the rhythm section should feel hip and conversational rather than driving hard.
• Balance the brass riffs so they sit behind the melody line instead of overshadowing it. These figures are punctuation, not the main event.
• If using a trumpet soloist, give them space to breathe and phrase naturally. The solo works best when it sounds conversational, not robotic.

Spring concerts love this one because it refreshes ears after heavier classical or contemporary material. Program it mid-set to lift energy, or use it as a closer if your audience needs to leave smiling. It's also an excellent introduction to jazz standards for students just beginning to understand the genre beyond pop and rock.

• Playing swing eighth notes with consistent feel
• Balancing melody and background figures in small ensemble textures
• Responding to solos in real time (especially if rotating section members through the trumpet solo)
• Understanding jazz phrasing and articulation in a pop context
• Reading and executing rhythmic hits with precision while maintaining groove