Isn't She Lovely Sheet Music Preview

Isn't She Lovely: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

As performed by Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Mike Tomaro

Grade: 4

Item: 35-PK00296226

Digital Download
$55.00

Parts Added to Cart!

Description
Recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1976 on his acclaimed album "Songs in the Key of Life", this beautiful song is a good example of combining elements of jazz with pop. Keeping the same easy-flowing shuffle groove of the original, Mike Tomaro adapts this very nicely for the contemporary full jazz ensemble.

Isn't She Lovely: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00296226

More about this title

About the Artist: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder emerged as a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and songwriter in the 1960s, mastering keyboards, harmonica, and drums while developing a compositional voice that bridged soul, funk, and jazz. His work from the 1970s onward redefined what popular music could accomplish harmonically and rhythmically, earning him recognition as one of the most influential musicians in contemporary music.

Wonder's legacy in music education centers on his fearless harmonic innovation and his ability to embed complex jazz elements into accessible, emotionally direct songs. "Isn't She Lovely" exemplifies this gift: a celebration of his daughter's birth that radiates joy while maintaining sophisticated musical architecture. His example shows students that technical mastery and heartfelt expression are not opposing forces.

Why we love this

Mike Tomaro's arrangement captures the essential warmth of Wonder's original without overcomplicating it. Grade 4 ensembles get to inhabit a professional-sounding groove that feels authentic to the source material, and your rhythm section gets genuine jazz playing rather than a dumbed-down simulation. The tune's inherent optimism makes it an instant morale boost in rehearsal and a crowd pleaser in concert.

What to expect

Sunny and buoyant, with an irresistible shuffle that makes standing still difficult. The easy-flowing groove invites listeners in immediately while the harmonic movement keeps musicians engaged throughout. There's celebration in every phrase without a hint of sentimentality.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level looking for repertoire that combines musical substance with genuine enjoyment. Your students will recognize the tune, which builds investment, while the arrangement respects both their current abilities and their capacity to grow. Directors seeking contemporary pop standards that groove authentically will find this particularly valuable.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the shuffle groove sitting slightly behind the beat rather than on top of it. This creates the relaxed, floating quality that makes the original so distinctive.
  • Balance the melody against the horn section fills. Both matter equally; neither should overshadow the other.
  • Establish the groove in sectionals before ensemble rehearsal. Once the rhythm section locks the feel, everything else settles into place faster.

How to use it

Place this in a spring or end-of-year concert where you want the audience to leave smiling. It works beautifully as a set closer or paired with other soul-influenced jazz standards. Consider opening a jazz combo showcase with this tune to establish energy and accessibility before moving into more challenging material.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining a shuffle groove across sustained sections
  • Balancing written melody with improvisation-derived fills
  • Reading and executing jazz articulation and phrasing
  • Listening to horn section voicings in real time
  • Understanding how jazz harmony enriches pop song structure

You May Also Like