Moon over Cuba: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Duke Ellington / transcr. David Berger
Grade: 5 (Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PK-0004524
$52.00
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Description
Juan Tizol's Moon Over Cuba started life with the title of Puerto Rican Girl. Although the copyright date is 1939, the only performance of this piece is the Victor recording from 1941. This obscure piece never achieved the mild popularity of Ellington's other 2 Latin masterpieces of that era- Conga Brava and Flaming Sword, but don't sell this gem short just because you never heard of it.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Moon over Cuba: 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:
Essentially Ellington: Jazz at Lincoln Center Library
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PK-0004524
More about this title
About the Composer: Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) stands as one of the most prolific and innovative composers in American music history. His output spanned nearly five decades and ranged from three-minute popular songs to extended concert works, all marked by sophisticated harmonic language, orchestral color, and an instinct for memorable melody. Ellington's approach to composition was inseparable from his work with his orchestra; he wrote for the specific voices and capabilities of his musicians, creating a body of work that redefined what jazz composition could achieve.
Why we love this
Moon over Cuba arrives as a historically significant recovery that expands students' exposure to Ellington's Latin-inflected writing beyond the more frequently programmed Latin masterpieces. The piece rewards the ensemble that can handle advanced harmonic voicings and syncopated ensemble passages while delivering the kind of sophisticated swing that makes Ellington's catalog endlessly rewarding to study and perform.
What to expect
Moon over Cuba evokes tropical atmosphere through its Latin rhythmic DNA while maintaining the sophisticated harmonic world that defines Ellington's finest work. The piece moves with an unhurried elegance, trading in lush sonorities and unexpected chromatic turns that feel both of its era and eternally modern.
Who it's for
Advanced high school or college-level jazz ensembles ready for Grade 5 difficulty and the interpretive demands of Ellington's harmonic language. This score rewards ensembles with strong section leaders, reliable intonation, and the patience to balance historical authenticity with contemporary sound.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the Latin rhythmic foundation against the jazz comping; the piece sits between two worlds, and clarity requires careful attention to both groove and harmonic support.
- Let the solo voices breathe. Ellington wrote generously for individual instruments, and the accompaniment should frame rather than crowd these moments.
- The chromatic voice leading and close harmonies demand precise intonation and blend; sectional work on vertical sonorities will pay dividends across the full ensemble.
How to use it
Pair this with other recovered or lesser-known Ellington pieces to create a program that goes beyond the standards, or program it alongside Conga Brava and Flaming Sword to trace Ellington's sustained engagement with Latin idioms. Its advanced demands make it an excellent centerpiece for a concert showcasing ensemble sophistication and jazz literacy.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and interpreting complex Ellington harmonic voicings
- Playing Latin rhythms with swing feel and proper comping style
- Balancing solo lines against sophisticated ensemble accompaniment
- Precise intonation in close-voiced chord structures
- Understanding historical jazz arranging and orchestration