La Almeja Pequeño (The Little Clam): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

This chart delivers the kind of infectious groove and sharp orchestration that makes contemporary big band writing so engaging for high school and college ensembles. Goodwin's signature humor surfaces in every phrase, while the Latin rhythmic foundation gives soloists genuine room to stretch and directors a chance to program something that sounds both polished and genuinely fun.

A hip, swinging Latin journey that combines sophisticated jazz vocabulary with the irresistible groove of Afro-Cuban rhythms. The chart feels playful and polished in equal measure; Goodwin's arranging gives the ensemble moments of tight unison excitement and then opens doors for individual voices to shine over a propulsive, deeply grooving foundation.

Advanced high school jazz ensembles and college big bands ready to tackle Grade 5 difficulty with strong section leaders, a solid rhythm section, and soloists comfortable improvising over Latin changes. This score demands secure readers who can handle the ensemble's syncopated rhythms and a director prepared to coach both traditional jazz soloing and Latin percussion collaboration.

• Lock the Latin percussion foundation early in rehearsals; the rhythm section and conga player drive the entire chart's energy and clarity.
• Balance the solos (alto, tenor, trumpet, and trombone) so each voice cuts through without overwhelming the ensemble; these conversations need space to breathe.
• Emphasize the articulation clarity on the horn lines, especially in the tight ensemble passages, to capture Goodwin's crisp, playful approach to orchestration.
• Reference the Big Phat Band recording to internalize the swing feel and Latin inflection; Goodwin's studio version demonstrates the groove's pocket and the soloists' interpretive approach.

Program this as a show-closing feature that demonstrates your ensemble's range and maturity; the Latin percussion element and multiple soloists create a concert moment that feels contemporary and energetic. Pair it with a traditional swing standard earlier in the set to create a compelling arc that spans jazz's foundations into its modern extensions.

• Soloing over Latin jazz changes with rhythmic confidence
• Ensemble precision in syncopated, fast-moving horn lines
• Rhythmic coordination between traditional jazz section and Latin percussion parts
• Listening and blending within saxophone, trumpet, and trombone sections during arranged passages
• Stylistic sensitivity to contemporary big band orchestration