Human Nature: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By John Bettis / By Steve Porcaro / As performed by Michael Jackson / Arranged by Mike Tomaro
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00143251
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Human Nature - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $7.50 | |
| Human Nature - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Human Nature - Solo Sheet | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Recorded by Michael Jackson on "Thriller," this distinctive laid-back hit has been recorded by artists ranging from Boyz II Men to David Benoit to Miles Davis. Mike Tomaro's stylized version combines a smooth rock feel with tenor and trombone featured on the melody and for solos. The ensemble counterlines and background figures are beautifully constructed. More than just a "pop" tune, this chart will command attention on any program.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00143251
More about this title
About the Composer: John Bettis
John Bettis is a songwriter whose work shaped the sound of 1980s pop and R&B. Writing in collaboration with Steve Porcaro of Toto, Bettis crafted songs that balanced commercial appeal with sophisticated harmonic movement, making them enduring staples of contemporary music.
Why we love this
Mike Tomaro's arrangement respects the song's essential groove while building genuine jazz ensemble textures around it. The tenor and trombone trading the melody keeps the feel intimate, and the counterlines and background figures are sophisticated enough that your players will feel like they're interpreting something substantial, not just executing a pop chart.
What to expect
Smooth and sophisticated without pretension. The arrangement glides between the ease of a radio hit and the musical satisfaction of well-crafted jazz voicings, creating something that feels both familiar and distinctly arranged.
Who it's for
This works for ensembles with solid section players and at least one strong tenor saxophonist and trombonist who can carry a melody with style. Grade 4 accessibility means younger or newer ensembles can tackle it without getting lost in technical demands, freeing everyone to focus on tone and feel.
How to get the most out of it
- Prioritize the laid-back pocket over precision. The smooth rock feel lives in the space between the beat, so encourage your rhythm section to sit slightly behind and let the groove breathe rather than rushing the pulse.
- Balance the tenor and trombone solos so they sit equally in the texture; neither should dominate during melody passages. Work the dynamic interplay between them so listeners follow the conversation.
- Shape the ensemble counterlines with clear articulation. These figures carry the harmonic sophistication of the arrangement, and crisp attacks will make them read distinctly against the background figures without muddying the overall sound.
How to use it
This pairs naturally with other contemporary or crossover material on a concert featuring rock, pop, or funk arrangements. It also works as a confident closer on an otherwise traditional jazz program, signaling your ensemble's range and current relevance to your audience.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining groove pocket in smooth rock feels
- Trading melody and solos between instruments with balanced dynamics
- Reading jazz counterlines against background figures
- Blending articulation and phrasing in small-section leadership
- Interpreting contemporary harmony with jazz sensibility