Hooked On A Feeling: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the immediate appeal of this earworm without sacrificing ensemble texture. The "ooga chaka" hook sits perfectly within the jazz ensemble voicings, giving students an irresistible focal point while still requiring them to navigate the rhythmic precision and section interplay that makes the original recording so tight.

Infectious and irreverent. The arrangement captures the playful swagger of the original recording, with that unmistakable vocal hook threaded through the ensemble texture. It's the kind of tune that gets lodged in the audience's head before the band even leaves the stage.

Jazz ensembles working at the Grade 3 level who want to program something with immediate student and audience appeal. This works equally well for groups building confidence in contemporary pop arrangements as it does for those seeking a guaranteed crowd pleaser at a concert or pops show.

• Lock the groove in your rhythm section first. The pocket of this tune is its strongest asset, so spend rehearsal time on the interaction between drums, bass, and comping instruments before layering in the horn lines.
• Approach the "ooga chaka" chant as a rhythmic unison rather than a vocal moment. Precision here creates the novelty and memorability that audiences respond to.
• Balance the melody line against the ensemble harmonies. This arrangement likely stacks voices behind the head, so clarity in the trumpet or alto section carrying the tune keeps the familiar hook from getting buried.
• Record yourselves early and often. Hearing playback builds the band's confidence in this accessible repertoire and helps lock down the groove faster than rehearsal alone.

Pair this with other recognizable pop and rock standards to create a "hits" segment that bridges the gap between classical repertoire and contemporary music. It also works beautifully as an opener or finale, especially at pops concerts where variety and fun are part of the programming strategy.

• Reading and interpreting contemporary pop arrangements written for jazz instrumentation
• Locking into a steady groove and maintaining rhythmic precision across ensemble sections
• Balancing melody and harmony in close voicings
• Executing syncopated rhythmic figures that require precision timing