If I Didn't Have You (from Monsters, Inc.) (arr. John Berry): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

John Berry's arrangement captures Newman's witty sensibility while keeping the chart accessible for developing players. The swing feel sits comfortably at Grade 3, and the source material's inherent charm means students stay engaged without the arrangement doing heavy lifting to carry musical interest.

Warmth and humor blend throughout this chart. The melody carries Newman's trademark gentleness while the rhythm section propels the piece with steady swing energy, creating a performance that feels both sophisticated and genuinely fun to play.

Jazz directors seeking repertoire that bridges younger and intermediate ensembles with material students actually recognize and enjoy. This works equally well as a feature on a jazz concert or as a confidence builder for players new to the swing idiom.

• Keep the rhythm section locked in on the swing eighth feel from the top; this chart lives or dies on a relaxed, centered groove.
• Balance the melody against the supporting harmony parts so Newman's songwriting clarity shines through rather than getting buried in ensemble texture.
• Let the lyrical quality of the melody breathe during rubato passages; resist the urge to rush emotional moments in service of strict time.
• Layer dynamics carefully in the ensemble sections to prevent muddiness while still building excitement through the chart's arc.

Slot this into a jazz concert where you want the audience to smile and recognize the tune immediately. It pairs well alongside more straightforward standards or original compositions, offering a palate cleanser that still demands solid musicianship from your ensemble.

• Swing eighth-note feel and rhythmic precision in an ensemble setting
• Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment
• Phrasing and articulation choices that serve lyrical content
• Reading jazz chord changes and section coordination