Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$44.00 USD

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-40343
Price: 44.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Joe Zawinul / arr. Mike Story

Grade: 1 (Easy)

Item: 00-40343

$44.00

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A must-have chart for every young band! A classic jazz hit by Joe Zawinul arranged masterfully with an easy rock feel by Mike Story. This chart has a simple written-out piano solo, trumpet 1 range to written D fourth line, a tempo around MM=100, and a very catchy melody. It will sound great and is easy to play, nuff said. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 46

ISBN10: 1-4706-5153-X

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5153-4

UPC: 038081455921

SKU: 00-40343

More about this title

About the Composer: Joe Zawinul

Joe Zawinul (1932-2007) was an Austrian keyboardist and composer who fundamentally shaped the sound of jazz fusion. Rising to prominence as the pianist for Cannonball Adderley's sextet in the 1960s, Zawinul went on to co-found Weather Report, one of the most influential fusion ensembles in jazz history. His compositions balanced accessibility with harmonic sophistication, making them enduring fixtures in both professional and student jazz programs.

Zawinul's gift for melody and his ability to craft grooves that worked across idioms made his music particularly valuable for music education. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" exemplifies this quality: it reads as instantly recognizable and engaging to young players while maintaining the harmonic and rhythmic integrity that earned Zawinul respect from serious musicians worldwide.

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Why we love this

Mike Story's arrangement captures everything that makes this tune work: the irresistible groove lands immediately, the written-out piano solo gives young players a model for jazz phrasing without requiring advanced keyboard skills, and the chart sits comfortably for a first-year ensemble without sacrificing the funk and warmth of the original. Your students will sound polished and feel engaged from the first rehearsal.

What to expect

Laid-back and infectious. The rock-inflected groove sits somewhere between a slow funk pocket and a relaxed swing, with the melody floating over warm harmonic support. It's the sound of a band that knows how to groove together.

Who it's for

First-year jazz ensemble players and directors seeking a Grade 1 chart that sounds professional and feels fun. The accessible voicings and straightforward ranges make it ideal for ensembles still building their jazz vocabulary, while the groove and melody keep everyone engaged.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the groove pocket tight and relaxed at MM=100. The rhythm section should feel the pulse as a quarter note, not rush toward the tempo.
Balance the trumpet 1 melody carefully. It's catchy enough to shine, but the piece breathes when the ensemble supports it rather than forcing it forward.
Work the piano solo section as a listening moment. Have the band listen actively while the pianist plays the written line, then lock back in together for the head.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a early-season piece that builds ensemble confidence and introduces rock-tinged jazz language. Program it alongside slightly more challenging material later in the year to show growth, or use it as a closer on a winter concert where you want the audience to leave smiling.