My Buddy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Name: My Buddy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-24847S
Price: 9.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Words by Gus Kahn, music by Walter Donaldson / arr. Dave Wolpe

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-24847S

$9.00

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Arranger Dave Wolpe features the trombone section and this swingin' jazz waltz is first class. Written out solos for bones 1/2/3, lead trumpet range goes to written A, lead bone to A. Showcase the bones with this great chart! This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Series: Jazz Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 038081268743

SKU: 00-24847S

More about this title

About the Composer: Walter Donaldson

Walter Donaldson (1893, 1947) wrote some of the most durable popular songs of the 1920s and 1930s, composing melodies that felt both sophisticated and immediately singable. His gift for creating tunes that worked equally well in theater, on radio, and in dance halls made him one of the most recorded songwriters of his era. In the jazz education world, his standards remain valuable repertoire because they sit naturally on brass instruments and reward strong melodic phrasing.

Donaldson's compositions have become essential teaching tools for directors building their jazz libraries. The structural clarity of his writing, combined with genuinely swingable melodies, means that student ensembles can focus on tone, section balance, and phrasing rather than fighting awkward ranges or unidiomatic voicings.

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Why we love this

Dave Wolpe's arrangement gives the trombone section real work to do with three written-out solos that let each player shine while maintaining ensemble cohesion. The waltz time signature adds rhythmic character to a familiar standard, and the moderate Grade 3 level means your section can focus on tone production and swing feel without drowning in technical demands.

What to expect

A smooth, sophisticated swing that unfolds with elegance rather than urgency. The waltz lilt gives the arrangement a conversational quality, as if the horns are trading stories over a relaxed evening, with the trombones taking their turn to speak naturally and unhurried.

Who it's for

Jazz ensemble directors at the high school or advancing middle school level who want to feature their trombone section without sacrificing overall ensemble sound. This works equally well for directors building a mixed-ability program or those looking to develop stronger individual soloists while maintaining an accessible arrangement.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the written trombone solos carefully against the rhythm section; these lines are conversational, not flashy, so clarity matters more than volume.
Work the swing eighth-note feel in isolation before running full sections; waltz time can loosen students' rhythmic focus if they're not anchored to the backbeat.
Have the lead trumpet practice the written A passages with the lead bone to lock the melodic top line; small intonation adjustments here pay off in every section.

How to use it

Slot this into a concert focused on classic American songbook material, pairing it with other standards arranged for student ensembles. The moderate difficulty makes it ideal for an early-season program where you're building confidence before tackling heavier charts, or as a welcome breather in a concert heavy with Latin or funk-fusion material.