Old Devil Moon: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Dave Wolpe's arrangement captures the swagger of a Broadway standard while building in accessible solo space for your section leaders. The written trumpet solo and sax section moments give soloists a scaffold to improvise from, and the optional parts make this workable for ensembles of different sizes without compromising the chart's professional sound.

A sophisticated swing that never loses its theatrical warmth. The melody has that unmistakable Broadway lilt, but Wolpe's harmonies and the jazz solo sections push it into a more urbane space, creating a piece that feels both familiar and freshly arranged.

Jazz ensembles at the high school and college levels with at least one strong lead trumpet and a capable saxophone section. The Grade 3 difficulty and Wolpe's clear voicings make this accessible to advancing players while remaining musically substantial enough to program on a concert where you want genuine sophistication.

• Balance the ensemble behind the trumpet solo so the written figures sing clearly without the soloist fighting for space.
• Lock the rhythm section into a steady swing feel; this standard only swings when the drums and bass commit fully to the pocket.
• Feature your lead trumpet prominently in rehearsal so they own the high passages and the written solo feels personal, not mechanical.
• Let the sax section solis breathe as group moments rather than chasing individual perfection; the character comes from ensemble blend.

Open a concert with this to set a confident, swinging tone from the downbeat. Its theatrical roots and contemporary jazz treatment make it an ideal bridge between audiences expecting standards and those wanting to hear modern big band writing.

• Swing interpretation and feel (triplet-feel subdivision, rhythmic placement)
• Reading written-out jazz solos and improvising over chord changes
• Balancing melodic interest across sections (trumpet lead with ensemble support)
• Ensemble blend in saxophone section solis
• Lead trumpet technique in the upper register (written B and above)