Message from Westlake: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Mike Kamuf
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PK-0007009
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Description
This swinger cooks at 172 BPM. The melody is stated by tenor 1, bari, trumpet 2, trombone 1 and guitar with solos written-out for those instruments. A stop-time chorus, an absolutely kickin' shout chorus, lead trumpet range to written B and the optional vibes part make this chart even better. Premiered at the 2012 Midwest Band Clinic. Fabulous chart! 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, Message from Westlake: 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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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0007009
More about this title
About the Composer: Mike Kamuf
Mike Kamuf is a composer and arranger with deep roots in jazz education and the festival circuit. His work for jazz ensembles demonstrates a keen understanding of what high school and college bands can deliver, balancing technical demands with genuine musical payoff.
Why we love this
Kamuf writes with genuine knowledge of what makes a jazz ensemble swing hard. The stop-time section and shout chorus give your band built-in moments of momentum and energy, while the written-out solos mean less guesswork in rehearsal and more consistency in performance. This is the kind of chart that sounds impressive and fun to play at the same time.
What to expect
Straight-ahead swing with swagger. The melody hooks immediately, and the stop-time section creates a moment of controlled tension before the shout chorus releases all that built-up energy in one unified declaration. It's music designed to make people listen.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 3 level who can handle solid swing time and sectional independence. Directors looking for a high-energy contest piece that plays well without excessive rehearsal time investment, and soloists who benefit from written parts that guide rather than leave them searching.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into the 172 BPM groove during the initial melody statement. Clean articulation from the guitar, bass, and drums sets up everything that follows.
- Shape the written-out solos with dynamic contrast. These aren't backgrounds; they're featured moments that deserve to speak with personality and phrasing.
- Attack the shout chorus with unified articulation and energy. The section only works if the ensemble commits fully to the intensity.
- Keep the vibes part transparent if you use it. The optional texture should enhance rather than muddy the existing harmonic movement.
How to use it
Feature this as a festival or contest entry where a confident, swinging performance speaks louder than technical complexity. It also works well as a concert opener or closer that leaves the audience energized and reminds them why jazz ensembles exist.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady swing feel at medium-fast tempo (172 BPM)
- Executing written-out jazz solos with stylistic consistency
- Balancing melody and background harmony in stop-time arrangement
- Sectional coordination and unified articulation in shout chorus
- Reading lead sheet harmony and comping changes within ensemble context