Isfahan: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$58.00 USD

Isfahan: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Isfahan: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-30642
Price: 58.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Billy Strayhorn / arr. Alan Baylock

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-30642

$58.00

Shipped

One moment…

Put together the brilliant composer Billy Strayhorn and superb arranger Alan Baylock, and you will have an outstanding musical experience. This is the alto sax feature you have been looking for---not technically difficult, but lush and full of moving lines and nuances. Lead trumpet range is to written A, above the staff. No improvisation for the alto soloist, just a beautiful Strayhorn melody. (4:05)

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Series: Jazz Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 82

UPC: 038081355658

SKU: 00-30642

More about this title

About the Arranger: Alan Baylock

Alan Baylock has shaped jazz education and performance across multiple continents as a composer, arranger, and conductor. His 20-year tenure as Chief Arranger for the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C. established him as a major voice in large ensemble writing, and he has since guest-conducted more than 100 jazz ensembles ranging from high school to professional levels. Currently directing the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas, Baylock continues to mentor the next generation while maintaining an active composition and arrangement practice.

Beyond the podium, Baylock's influence extends through his advocacy work and publishing initiatives. In 2022, he co-founded Brava Jazz Publishing with composer and arranger Annie Booth, creating dedicated space for women composers and arrangers in big band jazz. His arrangements have been performed by an international roster including Melissa Aldana, Paquito D'Rivera, Kurt Elling, and Joshua Redman, while his versatility has led to collaborations across jazz, pop, and symphonic contexts. He earned degrees from Shenandoah University and the University of North Texas, where he later served as Jazz Composer-in-Residence.

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Why we love this

Baylock's arrangement honors the elegance of Strayhorn's composition while making it entirely accessible to Grade 3 ensembles. The alto sax feature shines without requiring advanced technical facility or improvisation, allowing younger players to experience the sophisticated sophistication of jazz repertoire with confidence and musicality.

What to expect

Isfahan unfolds with the unhurried elegance of a late-night ballad. The alto sax line floats above warm harmonies, never rushing, drawing listeners into a world of lush chords and moving counterlines. It feels like watching a master musician at work, even as your ensemble plays it.

Who it's for

Grade 3 jazz ensembles ready to tackle repertoire with genuine musical substance. This arrangement welcomes younger or intermediate players into the world of Strayhorn while rewarding more experienced sections with elegant writing and the satisfaction of playing a genuine jazz standard.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the alto sax melody against the ensemble by keeping the background parts conversational. The beauty of this arrangement lies in the interplay between soloist and section, not in drowning out the feature.
Address the lead trumpet's upper range (written A and above) early in rehearsal. Scout your section beforehand and secure this part with a player who can manage the altitude comfortably and with steady intonation.
Shape Strayhorn's melody with rubato and breath. Mark phrase endings and dynamic swells in the alto part during sectional rehearsals so the soloist feels supported by the rhythm section and can breathe naturally.
Spend time locking the rhythm section's pocket before adding horns. A tight, swinging foundation in piano, bass, and drums will make the alto line sit perfectly and give the whole ensemble confidence.

How to use it

Program this as a feature moment in a jazz concert, allowing an intermission to highlight your alto soloist. It also pairs beautifully in a set of ballads and medium-tempo standards, giving your ensemble a chance to show range beyond high-energy funk and swing arrangements.