Old Devil Moon: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Dave Wolpe's arrangement captures the infectious charm of Lane's melody while giving your ensemble real work to do. The written trumpet solo and sax section passages provide character without demanding extreme technical demands, and the optional instrumentation means you can voice it for the ensemble you have on any given night.

Nostalgic and swinging, with the warmth of a classic theater standard filtered through modern big band color. The mood is urbane and slightly wistful, touched by Halloween pizzazz if you program it seasonally.

Jazz ensemble directors looking for a crowd-pleasing opener that sits at an achievable difficulty level without sacrificing musical substance. This works for high school and community jazz bands with competent lead trumpet players and a section comfortable with jazz articulation and phrasing.

• Emphasize the swing feel from the opening; this arrangement thrives on relaxed groove rather than mechanical precision.
• Balance the trumpet soloist against the section background; the written solo should sing over, not fight with, the ensemble.
• Use the optional parts strategically. If you're missing flute or horn, the chart still works because Wolpe voiced it with flexibility in mind.
• Pay attention to the lead trumpet's high passage (written B above the staff); mark breath points and discuss how the soloist will handle the tessitura without forcing tone.

Program this early in the set to establish energy and audience rapport. It pairs well with more contemporary jazz selections and creates a bridge between standards and newer repertoire, or feature it as a opener during October concerts to lean into its seasonal tag.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing within a written solo context
• Section blend and balance in sax ensemble passages
• Reading and executing optional parts flexibly based on instrumentation
• Swing feel and pocket playing in medium-tempo groove
• Extended range trumpet playing (written to B above staff)