Hit the Bricks: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

This chart gives you access to Goodwin's signature big band sound without requiring the technical mastery his full Big Phat Band library demands. A Grade 3 arrangement of this caliber is rare; most accessible charts either oversimplify the harmony or flatten the groove. Here, the funky energy stays intact, the voicings feel modern and sophisticated, and your band gets to experience authentic Goodwin orchestration at a playable level.

Funky, energized, and unapologetically cool. The groove sits in that sweet spot where the rhythm section locks tight enough to feel locked in, and the ensemble figures snap with precision. It swings hard without feeling showy; the solos breathe naturally, and the cued backgrounds keep the energy moving without clotting the texture.

Jazz bands at the middle and high school level with solid fundamentals and a director looking for material that sounds sophisticated without overwhelming the ensemble. This works best for bands that have rehearsed together long enough to lock in a groove and balance multiple written solo lines simultaneously.

• Lock the rhythm section (bass, drums, piano) first. The funky pocket is everything; once those players nail the groove together, the solos and ensemble figures land with impact.
• Balance the written-out solos carefully. Alto, tenor, bari, trumpet, and trombone each have their moment; make sure none gets buried under the background figures, which are cued throughout.
• Keep the lead trumpet's range in mind (written G on top of the staff). Rehearse the high passages separately so players can approach them with confidence rather than tension.
• Use the optional parts strategically. If you're missing a section player, these parts give you flexibility without compromising the arrangement's integrity.

Program this as a contest or festival centerpiece where you want your band to showcase both musicality and modern jazz credibility. It also works beautifully as the energetic anchor of a jazz concert, especially alongside other Goodwin arrangements at varying difficulty levels that let you show your band's range.

• Navigating syncopated funk rhythms and maintaining pocket consistency
• Balancing written solo sections with ensemble backgrounds
• Reading and executing contemporary jazz harmonies (seventh chords, extensions, alterations)
• Managing high trumpet register with musical intent rather than forcing volume
• Ensemble precision in quick articulations and rhythmic figures