New York State Of Mind: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Billy Joel / Arranged by John Berry
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00256785
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
First recorded by Billy Joel in 1976, this timeless classic was never a hit on the charts, but over the years has become a fan favorite and boasts countless covers from a diverse range of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, The Muppets and Glee. Here is a terrific medium swing setting playable by young jazz ensembles sure to be a hit.
New York State Of Mind: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00256785
More about this title
About the Artist: Billy Joel
Billy Joel emerged as one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the 1970s, blending classical training with pop sensibility to create music that transcends genre. His compositions demonstrate sophisticated harmonic thinking and memorable melodic lines that have made them enduring fixtures in American popular music and, increasingly, in jazz education settings.
Why we love this
John Berry's arrangement captures the reflective elegance of this Joel standard while keeping the technical demands accessible for Grade 3 ensembles. The swing feel sits naturally for young players learning to navigate jazz time, and the piece works equally well as a concert feature or a program bridge between more demanding selections.
What to expect
Wistful and urbane, this arrangement evokes the contemplative mood of the original while embracing the conversational warmth of a small jazz group. There is nothing rushed or showy about it; instead, it invites listeners into an intimate moment of reflection with a sophisticated harmonic backdrop.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles working at Grade 3 level will find this accessible yet musically substantial. It works beautifully for groups developing their swing language and looking for repertoire that sounds polished without requiring advanced soloists.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove in the rhythm section during sectionals before putting it all together; the forward lift of the swing feel distinguishes this from a straight ballad.
- Balance the melody against gentle comping from the horns. This arrangement thrives on restraint rather than volume.
- Let the piano and bass drive the harmonic conversation. Young soloists will lock in more securely when those voices are clear and locked together.
How to use it
Slot this into a concert where you want to shift the mood from high-energy swing charts or up-tempo funk. Its accessibility at Grade 3 makes it ideal for mid-winter concerts where students are still building their ensemble confidence but ready to show audiences what emerging jazz players can accomplish.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and triplet subdivision
- Comping and accompanimental sensitivity
- Melodic phrasing in a ballad context
- Listening and responding to harmonic movement
- Dynamic control at softer volumes