I Thought About You: 4th B-flat Trumpet
Words by Johnny Mercer, music by Jimmy Van Heusen / arr. W. Scott Ragsdale
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0017153_T4
$3.00
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Description
Arranged as a samba, Scott Ragsdale has done a superb job with this great tune. A few features in this first-class chart are nice section solis all around, a solo for 1st trombone (written out) and a modulation into the stop-time shout chorus. Lead trumpet range is to written B-flat, above the staff. This is an upbeat and cheerful chart! (3:43) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Thought About You: 4th B-flat Trumpet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
102
SKU:
00-PC-0017153_T4
More about this title
About the Composer: Jimmy Van Heusen
Jimmy Van Heusen (1913-1990) was one of the most prolific and successful composers of American popular song. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he wrote over 1,000 songs, many of which became jazz standards. His melodies are known for their singability, harmonic sophistication, and timeless appeal. Van Heusen worked extensively with lyricist Johnny Burke and later with Sammy Cahn, creating songs for films, Broadway, and the Great American Songbook that remain central to jazz repertoire today.
For jazz educators, Van Heusen's compositions offer excellent material for ensemble work. His tunes sit well on brass instruments, feature logical harmonic progressions that reward careful listening, and showcase the melodic clarity that makes standards so teachable. "I Thought About You" exemplifies these qualities while giving arrangers like Scott Ragsdale plenty of room for creative reinterpretation.
Why we love this
Scott Ragsdale's samba treatment transforms a classic ballad into an infectious, danceable chart that keeps all sections engaged with section solis throughout. The stop-time shout chorus and written trombone solo provide clear focal points for soloists, while the lead trumpet line's extension to written B-flat above the staff gives your section a satisfying technical moment without overwhelming Grade 3 readers.
What to expect
Upbeat and buoyant, with a samba lilt that gives the melody a tropical, dancing quality. The stop-time shout chorus snaps your ensemble's focus into sharp relief, creating a moment of collective energy and precision before releasing back into the grooved samba feel.
Who it's for
Directors with Grade 3 jazz ensembles who want a standard that offers accessible ensemble writing without sacrificing musicality or fun. This chart works well for groups developing facility with Latin feels while building confidence on a recognizable tune from the jazz canon.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the energy gradually through the first chorus to set up the samba groove; resist the urge to play it locked and tight from the downbeat.
- Balance the section solis carefully so each voice can be heard distinctly without any section drowning out the melody or comping underneath.
- Lock the rhythm section (drums, bass, piano) into the samba pulse early in rehearsal; their pocket determines how effectively the ensemble will swing into the stop-time shout.
- Give the 1st trombone soloist space to phrase expressively on the written solo; the chart gives you a chance to feature individual musicianship beyond section playing.
How to use it
This sits naturally in a jazz concert alongside other standards and Latin-flavored charts. Its moderate length (3:43) and cheerful character make it an excellent program opener or a crowd-pleasing mid-set selection that appeals to audiences familiar with the Great American Songbook.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing samba rhythm patterns with precision
- Playing section soli independently while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Soloing over written changes with appropriate jazz phrasing and articulation
- Balancing range extensions (lead trumpet to written B-flat) with legible, musical playing
- Understanding stop-time rhythm and its dramatic effect in ensemble context