High Maintenance: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

This arrangement preserves the swagger and sophistication of the original Big Phat Band chart while keeping the technical demands realistic for developing ensembles. Mike Story's adaptation proves that accessibility doesn't require sacrificing musicality or the authentic Goodwin sound your students will recognize and respect.

Hip and energetic, with the kind of swing and attitude that makes students want to play jazz in the first place. The arrangement sparkles with clever orchestration touches and a modern big band groove that feels current and cool, not dusty or dated.

Young jazz ensembles tackling their first big band repertoire will find genuine musical substance here without drowning in technical obstacles. Directors looking for accessible charts that still sound professional and polished will appreciate this entry point into the Goodwin sound.

• Lock the swing feel before addressing individual parts; Goodwin charts live and die by the rhythmic pocket, so spend rehearsal time getting the entire ensemble to groove together rather than rushing to refine voicings.
• Encourage written-out soloists to listen to the original Big Phat Band recording to absorb the style and articulation sensibilities, even though the chart itself is simplified.
• Balance the brass section carefully; with the trumpet 1 part maxing out at written E, your lead trumpet should sit comfortably rather than stretched, allowing for consistent tone and phrasing across the section.
• Use the dynamic and articulation markings as your foundation for teaching style; Goodwin's charts are very specific about when to punch and when to lay back, so honoring those details immediately elevates the performance.

Program this as a centerpiece for a jazz concert where you're showcasing your ensemble's growth and style. It pairs well alongside original compositions by your students or more straightforward jazz standards, offering audiences a taste of contemporary big band writing without overwhelming younger players.

• Reading and playing written-out jazz solos with proper articulation and phrasing
• Understanding swing rhythms and maintaining consistent groove feel across section changes
• Balance and blend within brass and reed sections under jazz voicings
• Responding to subtle dynamic and stylistic markings that characterize modern big band writing
• Listening and reacting to ensemble sound in real time rather than relying on visual cues alone