Maynard & Waynard: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

This chart showcases what Goodwin does best: write for the lead trumpet with room to breathe and space to solo, all while maintaining the propulsive swing and sophisticated arranging that defines his big band sound. The single-soloist adaptation gives your lead player the spotlight without the logistical demands of a dual-featured arrangement, making it practical for most ensembles while preserving the professional-level sophistication. At nearly six minutes, it's substantial enough to anchor a concert and impressive enough to demonstrate why your section leader deserves the spotlight.

Hard-swinging and energetic, with the kind of propulsive groove that makes the band want to move. The spotlight on the lead trumpet gives moments of lyrical breathing room against the ensemble's driving backdrop, creating dynamic tension between soloist and section. It feels like a feature presentation that respects both the individual player and the collective power of the band.

Advanced jazz ensembles with a strong lead trumpet who is ready to handle both written passages and improvised solo space. This is a conductor score with full parts, designed for professional-level groups or top high school and college ensembles that can execute complex rhythmic figures and dynamic control.

• Establish the fundamental tempo through the rhythm section first; this chart swings, and the pocket determines everything else. Get the walking bass and comping locked before layering in the ensemble figures.
• Prepare your lead trumpet player with the full solo section well before ensemble rehearsals begin. The written lines and ad lib spaces demand individual clarity and confidence, which come from private work.
• Balance the lead trumpet against the full ensemble during ensemble hits. The soloist needs projection to cut through, but the arrangement works when sections around the lead are proportionately restrained.
• Shape the ensemble articulation carefully through syncopated passages. Goodwin's writing is rhythmically specific, and precision in attacks and releases will reveal the sophistication in his orchestration.

Close out a set or concert with this chart. Its length and energy make it a commanding finale, and the solo spotlight gives audiences a clear focal point. It also pairs well on a jazz-focused concert with other Gordon Goodwin arrangements or charts that emphasize lead trumpet, allowing you to build a cohesive aesthetic around your section's strengths.

• Lead trumpet range extension (written passages to high F and above)
• Jazz solo construction and improvisation within chord changes
• Ensemble swing articulation and phrasing
• Complex rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Dynamic control and balance between soloist and full ensemble
• Reading and executing large-form jazz arrangements