Hit the Ground Running: Piano Accompaniment

Goodwin's fingerprints are all over this chart, from the instantly compelling piano opening to the relentless rhythmic drive that defines his sound. The writing balances genuine difficulty with accessibility for soloists, giving your section leaders showcase moments without isolating less experienced players. It's the kind of opener that sets the tone for a concert, making a statement about your ensemble's chops while staying rooted in infectious funk grooves.

Funky, propulsive, and undeniably hot. The chart moves with big band swagger and contemporary edge, driven by Goodwin's signature use of locked rhythms and counterlines. There's a sense of precision meets spontaneity, where the ensemble's tightness creates space for soloists to breathe and stretch.

Grade 5 jazz ensembles with strong fundamentals, confident rhythm sections, and soloists ready to navigate modern jazz vocabulary. This chart rewards ensembles that have logged serious rehearsal time together and are prepared to tackle demanding rhythmic precision and harmonic sophistication.

• Lock the rhythm section's grooves first, especially the interaction between piano and bass during that hot opening lick; this is the foundation everything else sits on.
• Give soloists clear guidance on the density of Goodwin's harmonic language; his jazz vocabulary moves quickly, and advance preparation of chord changes pays dividends.
• Balance the auxiliary percussion part so it sits in the pocket without overwhelming the main rhythm section; it's a color tool, not a second drum kit.
• Run the ensemble section entrances crisply, particularly around transitions where horns rejoin after solo passages; Goodwin's writing can sound muddy if the attacks aren't clean.

Open a concert with this chart to grab immediate attention; its energy and musical confidence set a confident tone for what follows. It works equally well as a festival or contest opener, showcasing both ensemble discipline and individual musicianship in one package.

• Reading and executing complex syncopated rhythms in funk and jazz idioms
• Playing with precision articulation across the full ensemble to lock grooves
• Navigating sophisticated jazz harmony and chord changes
• Balancing ensemble playing with confident solo improvisation
• Interpreting stylistically accurate big band phrasing and inflection
• Managing rhythmic independence in the rhythm section while maintaining collective pocket