Listen Here: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Zachary Smith's arrangement captures exactly what makes Harris's writing so effective at this level: a groove that locks immediately, written solos that sound natural and playable (not generic filler), and a structure that develops organically instead of just repeating the head. Your ensemble will sound polished in rehearsal three, and the audience will actually listen.

Immediately groovy. The tune pulls you in with a funky, rock-tinged jazz pulse that feels current without chasing trends. The written solos give soloists a chance to shine over a supportive ensemble backdrop, and the development section adds harmonic and textural interest that keeps the piece moving forward.

Grade 2 jazz ensembles that need a chart sounding sophisticated and confident without requiring advanced soloing skills or complex voicings. This works equally well for high school jazz bands building repertoire and college groups looking for an assured opening number or festival selection.

• Lock the rhythm section into the 140 BPM pocket early in rehearsals. The funky groove only works when the bass, drums, and comping instruments sit together; treat the first run-through as a rhythm section sectional even if the whole group is present.
• Emphasize the stop-time interlude as a contrast moment. Students often rush coming out of a held note; count the silence audibly and cue the entrance cleanly so the re-entry lands with impact.
• Give soloists room to stretch into their written parts. The tenor and trumpet solos should breathe; encourage players to listen to the accompaniment underneath and respond to the groove rather than race through the changes.
• Use the development section to build dynamic shape across the chart. Resist the urge to play the same energy level as the opening head; let the arrangement breathe and create natural arcs in volume and intensity.

This is an ideal opener for jazz festivals or a strong inclusion in a mixed jazz concert alongside ballads and bebop-style pieces. The sub-4-minute length and high success rate at this grade level make it a smart choice for groups building confidence and needing a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

• Locking groove and comping within a funk-jazz idiom
• Reading and executing written solos with stylistic accuracy
• Understanding contrast through development sections and stop-time effects
• Balancing ensemble cohesion with individual soloist presence
• Responding to tempo and groove changes across full-ensemble sections