It's All Right with Me: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Dave Rivello's arrangement transforms a Porter standard into a swinging waltz that feels both fresh and grounded in jazz tradition. The written-out alto solo and extended lead trumpet line give soloists real work to do, while the contemporary harmony and full textures ensure no section sits idle. This is the kind of chart that keeps rehearsals energized because everyone has something meaningful to play.

Elegant and swinging, this arrangement captures Porter's harmonic sophistication in a three-beat context that feels contemporary and graceful. The energy is immediate but never frantic; you'll hear a chart that breathes, luxuriates in its chord changes, and gives every player a moment to shine.

Jazz ensemble directors working at the middle or secondary school level who want to program a sophisticated standard without overextending their ensemble's technical reach. Musicians in these ensembles will find genuine solo opportunities and rewarding ensemble writing that respects both their developing musicianship and their hunger for real jazz charts.

• Balance the rich harmonic textures by letting the rhythm section anchor the foundation; too much ensemble weight will obscure the voicings Rivello has carefully crafted.
• Shape the alto 1 solo with genuine phrasing rather than mechanical accuracy; the written notes give you the framework, but the solo needs breath and swing.
• Approach the 3/4 meter with confidence and forward motion. Jazz waltzes can feel dragging if the ensemble doesn't commit to the pulse and lilt of the form.
• Feature your lead trumpet player; the extension to written A above the staff indicates this part demands someone secure in the upper register who can voice it clearly against the ensemble.

Slot this into a jazz concert where you want to showcase both ensemble maturity and individual soloists, especially if your lead trumpet player and alto section are ready to step forward. It pairs naturally with other Porter standards or sits well alongside medium-level Basie-influenced swing charts as evidence of your ensemble's range and musical taste.

• Reading and interpreting jazz waltz feel and swing phrasing in 3/4 meter
• Voicing and blending contemporary jazz harmony across sections
• Performing written-out jazz solos with stylistic integrity and articulation
• Listening for and balancing textural layers in ensemble writing