I Remember Clifford: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Erik Morales's arrangement captures the intimacy of this ballad while making it playable for mid-level ensembles. The written flugelhorn solo removes guesswork for players who need it, yet leaves room for improvisation once confidence builds, and the optional parts for flute and vibraphone let you shape the texture to match your instrumentation.

The flugelhorn's warm, mellow tone floats over gentle swing, creating a reflective mood that draws listeners in from the opening notes. A brief double-time push gives the ensemble a moment of forward motion before returning to the ballad's introspective character. Throughout, Golson's melody remains the emotional center, humble and direct.

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 3.5 level will find this arrangement well-balanced for their range and ability. Trumpet players need secure control through written G on top of the staff, and your rhythm section should be comfortable with jazz feels and swing articulation. It's also an excellent piece for programs adding more ballad material to their rotation.

• Balance the flugelhorn voice in the lead trumpet section during the solo. The instrument projects differently than standard trumpet, so seat the soloist where the rhythm section can hear clearly without the section overwhelming the sound.
• Take the double-time section as a chance to showcase your rhythm section's comping. Lock the quarter-note pulse with light articulation; this isn't a breakneck tempo, so clarity matters more than urgency.
• If your trumpet 2 player takes the improvisation option, schedule rehearsal time for that soloist before the ensemble run-throughs. A written solo that's solid ensures the piece moves forward even if improvisation isn't yet developed.
• Use the optional vibraphone part to add color during the ballad sections. It can double the melody softly or sit underneath with sparse comping, but don't let it blur the harmonic progression.

Program this as a concert closer that contrasts with uptempo features earlier in the set. Its four-minute twenty-second length fits comfortably into any concert structure, and the ballad style offers your audience a moment of repose. Consider pairing it with another medium-tempo swinger to create a small suite of contrasting moods.

• Flugelhorn tone production and balance in a section context
• Swing phrasing and articulation on a standard jazz ballad
• Reading and executing written jazz solos with suggested improvisation
• Rhythm section comping over chord changes at a moderate tempo
• Balancing solo and ensemble roles in a small-group jazz setting