Just Friends: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

$8.00 USD

Just Friends: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Name: Just Friends: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-JEM01044C
Price: 8.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by John Klenner, lyrics by Sam M. Lewis / arr. Joe Jackson

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-JEM01044C

$8.00

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One moment…

There's no way you won't swing on this jazz classic for the young player treated here in a Basie style. Arranger Joe Jackson took this standard and worked his magic to score it for the Jazz Band Series. Joe has included solos for piano and tenor sax, both with written solos provided, and an outstanding sax section soli. By the way, the suggested piano solo is just as the Count would have played it---tasty. This chart is nothing short of an education in big band. The way this chart builds intensity, the dynamics, the drum fills, and ensemble shout chorus are all textbook big band techniques. This chart will stand out in your library.

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Series: Jazz Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 654979994435

SKU: 00-JEM01044C

More about this title

About the Composer: John Klenner

John Klenner composed "Just Friends" in 1931, a standard that has become a cornerstone of the jazz repertoire. The song's elegant melody and harmonic sophistication made it an instant favorite among jazz musicians and bandleaders, particularly during the swing era.

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Why we love this

Joe Jackson's arrangement captures the essence of Count Basie's big band sound while remaining accessible for Grade 3 ensembles. The scored solos for piano and tenor saxophone, combined with a full sax section soli, give your ensemble the experience of authentic big band voicing without requiring advanced improvisational skills. This is a chart that teaches what real swing orchestration sounds like.

What to expect

Smooth, sophisticated, and swinging. The melody sits warmly in the jazz ensemble sound, and the arrangement builds with the kind of controlled energy that Basie's band perfected. You'll hear what proper big band dynamics and phrasing sound like when everything lands together.

Who it's for

Jazz ensemble directors working with intermediate students who are ready to experience authentic big band orchestration. This is ideal for ensembles that have nailed basic swing feel and can handle sectional independence.

How to get the most out of it

Emphasize the rhythmic pocket in the rhythm section. The groove drives this arrangement, so lock the bass and drums together before adding the horns.
Shape the dynamic builds carefully. Jackson's scoring shows you exactly where intensity rises, so follow those markings to create the proper narrative arc.
Balance the sax section soli so every note reads clearly. This passage showcases the voicing, so make sure inner voices aren't buried under the top line.
Work the written solos separately with your pianist and tenor saxophonist. Both are substantial and deserve individual preparation time.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece of a jazz concert or as part of a swing-era segment. It pairs beautifully with other standards and works equally well as a mid-set number that shows your ensemble's maturity or as a closing piece that leaves the audience feeling the full weight of the big band tradition.