Havana: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Grade 2 arrangements of current chart hits rarely feel this polished. Terry White's scoring captures the song's essential groove and energy while giving young players genuinely playable parts; the included sample solos for saxophone, trumpet, and trombone give your section leaders something concrete to work from rather than asking them to improvise on an unfamiliar tune.

Bright and propulsive, with a Latin swagger that feels effortless. The arrangement captures the original's infectious groove while keeping the sophistication accessible; students feel like they're playing "real" music the moment they nail the rhythm section.

Young jazz ensembles hungry for contemporary repertoire that doesn't feel dumbed down. This works equally well for directors building confidence in younger players or for upper-level groups looking to program something their audiences will actually recognize.

• Lock the Latin clave rhythm in the rhythm section first; once that foundation sits solid, the horn parts will settle into place much faster.
• Lean into the syncopation without rushing. Young players often accelerate through syncopated passages out of nervousness, so use a metronome and keep the pulse deliberately relaxed.
• Let the sample solos breathe. If your players aren't ready to personalize them yet, playing them as written still sounds authentic and gives audiences a proper feature moment.
• Balance the ensemble so the top line carries the melody clearly. The texture fills in quickly with Latin percussion and comping, so make sure your trumpet section has enough presence to float above it.

Program this early in a concert to grab attention and establish energy, or use it as a palate cleanser between classical selections and ballads. It's also an excellent choice for a pop-focused set at informal events like pep rallies or end-of-semester celebrations where you want to show what your ensemble can do with contemporary material.

• Reading and executing Latin rhythmic patterns and clave
• Playing over syncopated comping and rhythmic accompaniment
• Balancing ensemble voicing in a pop arrangement context
• Performing from sample improvisation solos
• Responding to contemporary arranging techniques in jazz ensemble writing