Love Is Here to Stay: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Baker's Basie-style arrangement captures the swagger and relaxed pocket that defines big-band swing while keeping the chart solidly accessible for Grade 2 ensembles. The written solos for trumpet and alto saxophone give student improvisers a musical map to follow, and the shout chorus provides that classic moment of collective energy that makes jazz ensemble rehearsals feel alive. This is repertoire that teaches jazz vocabulary and style without requiring the rhythm section to carry everything.

Relaxed and sauntering, with a classic swing-era bounce that lets the melody breathe. The shout chorus hits with sudden collective force, and the sax soli sparkle with wit and personality. This is Gershwin's tunefulness filtered through the rhythmic ease of the Basie band; it swings because the arrangement trusts the groove rather than fighting it.

Jazz ensemble directors working with developing players (middle school through early high school) who want a standard that swings authentically without overwhelming inexperienced improvisers. The Grade 2 difficulty and the mix of written solos and ensemble passages make it suitable for festivals, concerts, or programs where you need a crowd-pleasing number that also teaches real jazz musicianship.

• Shape the sax soli with clear articulation and phrase contours that suggest speech; avoid uniformly tonguing straight through these lines, which flattens the character of the arrangement.
• Balance the written-out trumpet 2 and alto 1 solos so they sit in front of the ensemble comfortably without overblowing; these are conversations with the band, not announcements over it.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass, drums, and piano or guitar) into a relaxed, behind-the-beat feel before rehearsing the horns; Basie-style swing depends on that pocket more than tempo markings.
• Prepare the lead trumpet player for the written G on top of the staff by confirming upper-register comfort in sectionals; the note itself is accessible, but consistency and tone color at that height matter for the shout chorus impact.

Program this as a concert opener or closer to establish a swinging mood without requiring a heavy lift from the ensemble. It pairs well alongside other standards and original jazz compositions at festivals or spring concerts where you want to showcase both your ensemble's reading skills and their developing sense of time and style. The accessible level also makes it a solid choice for a teaching performance, where the quality of the arrangement lets student musicianship shine.

• Understanding Basie-style swing feel and behind-the-beat phrasing
• Reading and executing written jazz solos with expressive nuance
• Sectional blend and balance in soli passages
• Managing upper-register trumpet playing with confidence and tone control
• Responsive ensemble listening during shout chorus sections