I'm Down With That!: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Taylor writes with a real sense of fun here, layering swagger into the swing feel without sacrificing musicianship. The contrast between small ensemble sections and full band hits keeps students engaged throughout, while the solo features give your strongest players meaningful moments to shine. It's the kind of chart that gets rehearsed seriously but sounds like pure enjoyment.

Confident and grooved. This piece moves with swagger, built on a solid swing foundation but delivered with attitude that keeps it from feeling polished or stiff. The instrumentation balances small group intimacy with big band impact, giving the ensemble both space to breathe and moments to hit hard.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want contemporary repertoire with real personality and balanced difficulty. Bands strong enough to handle ensemble coordination and solo responsibility will get the most from this chart.

• Establish the swing feel early by having the rhythm section lock in before adding horns; the attitude comes from rhythmic confidence, not speed.
• Bring out the sax soli with a warm, cohesive blend; mark entrances carefully so the section speaks as one voice.
• Let soloists breathe in their featured passages rather than rushing; the up-tempo energy will carry them.
• The shout chorus benefits from crisp articulation across the full band; mark your attacks consistently in rehearsal.

This works as a feature number in a jazz concert or as a strong closer to a longer set. Program it after a ballad to showcase your ensemble's range, or use it to anchor a set of contemporary jazz arrangements that highlight compositional variety.

• Swing feel and authentic rhythmic interpretation
• Dynamic control across small and large ensemble settings
• Solo improvisation and featured playing
• Section blend and intonation in sustained passages
• Listening and responding to ensemble texture changes