It Had Better Be Tonight: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Henry Mancini / By Johnny Mercer / By Franco Migliacci / As performed by Michael Buble / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00187822
$55.00
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Description
Originally composed for the 1963 film "The Pink Panther", this unique tune has enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to the energetic samba version recorded by Michael Buble. This one is fun for vocalist and band alike.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00187822
More about this title
About the Composer: Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini stands as one of the most prolific film composers of the twentieth century, crafting scores that became as iconic as the movies themselves. His ability to write sophisticated orchestrations that also worked beautifully in jazz arrangements made him invaluable to Hollywood; his Pink Panther theme and "Moon River" remain standards in both classical and jazz contexts. For music educators, Mancini's catalog offers repertoire where melodic clarity and harmonic interest coexist with genuine playability across skill levels.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor's arrangement captures the sophistication of Mancini's original while building in the rhythmic drive that made Buble's samba interpretation so infectious. Your ensemble gets to explore film music that actually swings, and the vocal feature creates a natural focal point without overshadowing the band's role in the arrangement.
What to expect
Elegant and propulsive at once. There's the glamour and refinement you'd expect from Pink Panther music, but it's undercut by the heat of samba rhythm and contemporary pop sensibility. The result feels both classic and current, with enough swing to make the rhythm section feel genuinely alive.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles in the intermediate range who want a vocal feature that doesn't demand operatic training. Directors seeking repertoire that connects to familiar popular music while preserving the orchestration craft of a master film composer will find this particularly useful for concerts where you want sophistication alongside accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the samba feel early in rehearsal by isolating the percussion and rhythm section; this groove is the skeleton that holds everything else in place.
- Balance the vocalist with the ensemble rather than placing them in front. Mancini's harmonies deserve to be heard, and they'll frame the voice beautifully.
- Shape the phrasing of horn lines to match the vocal style of your featured singer; this tune rewards flexibility in how you interpret the written rhythms.
- Address the transition between sections deliberately. The chart likely moves between feels, so rehearse those moments as distinct musical events rather than stumbling through them.
How to use it
This works beautifully as an opener or closer on a jazz concert, particularly if you're programming alongside other standards or film music. It's also an excellent choice for pops concerts or community engagement events where broader audiences will recognize the melody and respond to the energy of the arrangement.
Skills your students will build
- Samba rhythmic phrasing and kick patterns
- Ensemble balance in small group textures
- Listening to and supporting a vocal soloist
- Stylistic flexibility within a single jazz standard
- Harmonic awareness through Mancini's sophisticated chord movement