I Get a Kick Out of You: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Dave Wolpe's arrangement captures everything that makes this standard essential repertoire: strong hooks that keep the section cohesion tight, breathing space for solo voices, and a shout chorus that brings the house down. The written B on lead trumpet is a smart pedagogical touch that keeps the energy focused while still giving players room to express themselves.

Sophisticated yet swinging, the piece has that classic 1930s-40s nightclub energy where elegance and infectious groove go hand in hand. The melody bounces with infectious charm while the harmonies give players something substantive to navigate, creating an arrangement that feels both playful and musically serious.

This arrangement works well for Grade 3 jazz ensembles ready to tackle a recognizable standard with genuine swing style and small-group soloing. It's ideal for programs seeking a title that balances written material with improvisation and delivers immediate satisfaction in performance.

• Balance the alto solo against the rhythm section with clarity; the supporting voicings shouldn't overshadow the improviser but should lock in rhythmically to frame the solo securely.
• Nail the intro's rhythmic clarity by having the drum kit establish the groove first, then layer the horns on top rather than trying to start everything simultaneously.
• Shape the melody's bounce between sections by using dynamic contrast; when the tune moves from one section to another, let the ensemble breathe and reset the pocket rather than pushing through.
• Attack the shout chorus with unified precision on accents; this is where the arrangement's energy peaks, so reserve dynamic space earlier in the chart to make this moment land.

Slot this into a concert that pairs classic standards with contemporary jazz writing; it works beautifully as an audience favorite that eases listeners into a program while giving your ensemble a confidence boost. The solo feature also makes it valuable for jazz competitions or clinics where you want to highlight an emerging improviser.

• Reading and performing swing eighth-note articulation
• Trading solos and responding to ensemble shout sections
• Balancing written melody with accompaniment figures
• Interpreting jazz phrasing and dynamic shaping
• Improvising over jazz harmony within a structured form