Land of Make Believe: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Victor López's arrangement captures the infectious groove of Mangione's original while giving your ensemble room to stretch rhythmically and harmonically. The written-out jazz solo option combined with space for improvisation means your lead trumpet player can shine at any level of comfort with ad-lib playing. This is the kind of piece that keeps an audience engaged from the first bar and leaves them remembering the melody on the drive home.

The piece opens with an intimate trumpet and alto conversation, breathy and unhurried. Then the full ensemble erupts into a propulsive, sun-drenched samba that brims with forward motion and joy. There's sophistication in the harmonies, but the overall character stays light, energetic, and immediately recognizable.

Jazz ensembles at the high school level or college jazz bands looking for a concert piece that combines accessibility with genuine musicianship. This works for groups that include developing improvisers, because the written solo option provides a safety net while still offering creative possibilities for more experienced players.

• Start the lazy intro with a relaxed pocket; resist the urge to rush once the samba kicks in. Let the rhythm section lock that groove first, then layers of brass can enter with confidence.
• Balance the first trumpet solo across the ensemble texture. Even when the chart is full, the soloist should sit forward enough for the audience to hear the melody clearly.
• If your lead trumpet is exploring the ad-lib option, encourage them to listen to Mangione's original flugelhorn interpretation for phrasing ideas, then make the solo their own within the harmonic structure provided.
• The samba rhythm is the engine; make sure your drums and bass section have rehearsed those specific figures together so everything grooves together from the downbeat of the A section.

This belongs on a concert where you want to showcase both the ensemble's tonal blend and your lead trumpet's personality. It pairs well with a variety of styles, from bebop standards to contemporary jazz compositions. The four-minute duration makes it ideal for filling a concert slot without dominating a set.

• Samba rhythm feel and comping in a jazz context
• Trading melodic and solo passages between trumpet and alto
• Balancing written melody against harmonic accompaniment in a full ensemble
• Lead trumpet range and projection (written to A)
• Basic jazz solo structure and harmonic navigation for improvisation