My Buddy: Vibraphone

Dave Wolpe's arrangement puts the trombone section exactly where it belongs: front and center. The three written-out solo opportunities for bones 1, 2, and 3 give each player a genuine moment to shine rather than forcing them to improvise, while the waltz time signature and accessible Grade 3 voicings keep the ensemble from getting bogged down in complex harmonic navigation. It's the kind of chart that reminds trombonists why they love their section.

A sophisticated swinging waltz that moves with purpose and style. The mood is bright and confident, never rushed, with the kind of melodic clarity that makes Donaldson's standards so memorable. When the trombones enter on their solos, the arrangement has the feel of a well-tailored feature act.

Jazz ensemble directors looking for a straightforward, musical feature that rewards section work and gives advanced intermediate trombonists real solo material without requiring harmonic improvisation skills. This works equally well for Grade 3 ensembles with strong bone sections or as a polished showcase piece for all-state or regional jazz competitions.

• Lock the swing feel in the rhythm section early; uneven waltz time can sound sloppy if the drums and bass don't establish a clear, relaxed pulse in three.
• Balance the trombone solos carefully so they project without overwhelming the ensemble support behind them; this arrangement asks the rhythm section to lay back slightly.
• Shape the phrase endings with the lead trumpet player, especially when the melody passes between sections, to keep the forward momentum steady across chorus changes.
• Mark breath points in the written bone solos during the first read-through; trombonists often want to phrase longer than the arrangement expects.

Program this as the centerpiece of a jazz concert set focusing on classic American songs, or pair it with other Donaldson or Wolpe charts to build a thematic program around 1920s-30s popular song idioms. The waltz time and straightforward arrangement also make it an effective teaching tool mid-rehearsal season for ensembles learning to swing in different time signatures.

• Swing rhythm in waltz time (3/4)
• Leading and balancing solo lines within an ensemble context
• Phrasing and breath management in written jazz solos
• Section cohesion and blend in the trombone choir
• Listening to and supporting featured soloists