Naptown Blues: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Terry White's arrangement captures the essence of Montgomery's easy swing without overwhelming a first-year ensemble. The written solos for section leaders give young musicians a structured entry point into jazz soloing, while the optional parts mean you can use exactly the instrumentation you have on any given rehearsal day.

Warm and conversational, like sitting in on a session where the melody is friendly and the groove is unshakeable. The shout chorus brings a celebratory punch that lands well with audiences while keeping the overall vibe grounded and accessible.

First-year jazz ensemble directors looking for repertoire that sounds mature without demanding advanced technical skills. Players in grades 9-12 with basic jazz vocabulary will step up into written solos and ensemble swing comfortably.

• Shape the sax soli with clear phrasing and even dynamics; resist the urge to let the volume drift as the section sustains longer notes.
• Lock the trumpet and trombone written solos into the rhythm section's pocket; have them listen intently to the drummer's ride cymbal and hi-hat for placement.
• Keep 150 BPM steady and swinging throughout; when the shout chorus hits, let the energy build naturally without pushing the tempo forward.
• Balance vibes carefully in the mix; they can either anchor harmonic color or disappear depending on how you blend them with the rhythm section.

Pair this with a slower ballad and a more uptempo chart to show stylistic range within a single concert set. The 3:16 length and Grade 1 difficulty make it ideal for a winter or spring concert where you want something that generates genuine joy without technical anxiety.

• Straight-ahead jazz swing feel and time keeping
• Reading and executing written jazz solo melodies
• Section balance and ensemble sound in a jazz context
• Responding to a conductor's gestures during head and shout chorus sections
• Understanding and performing basic jazz articulation and phrasing