It's Only a Paper Moon: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

John Berry's arrangement captures the nostalgic warmth of this 1933 standard while giving it enough contemporary harmonic color and structural variety to feel fresh. The built-in contrast between swing and Latin sections provides natural energy points for ensemble engagement, and the trumpet and tenor solos offer strong improvisation opportunities without excessive technical demand.

Light, sophisticated, and inviting. The piece has the elegance of a thirties-era standard while swinging with genuine contemporary groove. The harmonic richness keeps ears engaged, and the Latin detours add rhythmic color that prevents the arrangement from settling into predictability.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level seeking repertoire that sounds sophisticated without requiring advanced reading skills or virtuosic solo capability. This chart works equally well for school groups preparing a concert program and community or adult ensembles building a fun, playable setlist.

• Balance the ensemble texture during the Latin sections so the rhythm section changes register clearly without overwhelming the horns.
• Establish the swing feel with your rhythm section first, then layer in the ensemble parts to ensure the groove lands before adding complexity.
• Encourage soloists to reference recordings of the standard so they understand the melody and can reference it during their improvisations, even if they're creating entirely new material.
• Pay attention to the transitions between swing and Latin; these moments often benefit from a slight breath or gesture to signal the stylistic shift clearly.

Program this as a feature piece on a jazz or pops concert, especially in slots where you want to showcase soloists and demonstrate your ensemble's ability to shift stylistically within a single tune. It also serves well as a closer for a spring concert, where its optimistic character and accessible melody resonate with broader audiences.

• Comping and rhythm section cohesion across swing and Latin feels
• Solo construction over chord changes with harmonic awareness
• Ensemble balance and blend in contemporary jazz voicings
• Style-specific articulation and phrasing in both swing and Latin contexts
• Reading and executing section parts with syncopated ensemble figures