Leaving: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score, Parts & CD

Jim McNeely's arrangement preserves the song's emotional core while giving it the space and texture that a big band can provide. The writing offers genuine warmth without resorting to heavy-handed voicings, and the flexibility to feature different soloists (vocalist, flügelhorn, or tenor) makes it genuinely useful for varied programming needs.

Introspective and unhurried, with a contemporary palette that feels modern without losing warmth. The arrangement has breathing room; it invites listening rather than demanding it.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate to advanced level who want a vehicle for a strong soloist and can deliver sophisticated harmonic voicings. This works equally well in a concert setting or a more intimate club-style performance.

• Let the soloist breathe freely over the ensemble; the arrangement supports rather than crowds the feature voice
• Balance the contemporary harmonic colors in the reeds and brass so they enhance rather than obscure the melody
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock sectional balance before rehearsal if your rhythm section needs reference points

Feature this as a showcase for a vocalist or instrumentalist within a larger jazz concert, or pair it with other McNeely charts to build a set around contemporary big band writing. It also works well as a closing or penultimate piece where emotional maturity reads stronger than energy.

• Accompanying a featured soloist with ensemble precision
• Voicing contemporary jazz harmonies (extended and altered chords)
• Balancing textural layers in a big band setting
• Responding to rubato and expressive phrasing from a soloist