In a Mellow Tone: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Rick Stitzel's arrangement preserves the warmth and groove of this Duke Ellington classic while making it accessible to Grade 4 ensembles. The solo opportunities for trumpet and alto sax give your section leaders a chance to shine, and that shout chorus with its dynamic writing will energize any concert program.

Relaxed sophistication and effortless groove. This tune walks you through a comfortable medium swing where every section has work to do, yet nothing feels rushed or strained. The shout chorus lifts the whole piece into a moment of collective energy.

Intermediate jazz ensembles ready to tackle authentic swing standards with structured improvisation. Directors seeking repertoire that teaches solid big band arranging conventions while remaining playable for developing musicians.

• Establish the swing feel early in rehearsal by isolating the rhythm section; lock the bass line and drums before layering the horn parts.
• Balance the shout chorus so the dynamics register clearly without the ensemble losing the groove. Mark your dynamic peaks in the score to guide your section leaders.
• Let the soloists breathe during their passages. This is a medium swing, not a hard-driving blues; the solo sections benefit from space and conversational phrasing.
• Keep the horns' parts transparent in the A sections so the melody and improvisation come through. Reserve the full sound for the shout chorus.

Pair this with other classic standards to build a jazz standards set, or program it alongside contemporary swing pieces to show your students the roots of the style they're learning. It works equally well as a concert opener or mid-set number that lets the ensemble settle into ensemble playing before solo features.

• Swing feel and articulation in big band writing
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures
• Dynamic control and contrast in shout chorus voicings
• Reading chord changes and improvising over standards
• Section coordination in six-horn configuration