Otra Vez: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Biondi nails the balance between authentic samba groove and accessibility. The scalewise approach to the Trumpet 1 melody keeps the upper register manageable while keeping the piece musically sophisticated, so you can program it confidently in a concert without sacrificing the Latin feel your ensemble deserves.

Warm, grounded, and propulsive. The samba feel gives the piece forward momentum and an inviting groove that makes both players and listeners want to move. The scalewise melody in Trumpet 1 sits comfortably in the middle register, keeping the sound accessible while the jazz changes underneath add harmonic color and sophistication.

Grade 3 jazz ensembles ready to move beyond swing standards into Latin repertoire. This works well for groups with solid fundamentals in rhythm section playing and at least one strong trumpet soloist and tenor player to carry the featured passages.

• Lock the samba rhythm section early. The clave and percussion articulation set the entire groove, so rehearse drums, bass, and piano together before running the full ensemble.
• Balance the trumpet and tenor features on the head so neither overpowers the rhythm section. Both soloists need space to breathe over the comping chords.
• Check intonation on the sustained harmony notes under the solo sections. Jazz chord changes are easy to flatten, especially in the lower voices.
• Work the solos with appropriate swing feel and articulation. Even though it's a samba, the jazz vocabulary in the changes requires crisp note attacks and swing eighth-note interpretation.

Place this in a concert featuring Latin or world music themes, or use it as a bridge piece between your swing section and a more adventurous set-closing number. Its medium-easy difficulty makes it an ideal choice for a spring concert where you want to showcase your ensemble's stylistic range without overextending the group.

• Samba groove and Latin rhythm section accompaniment
• Jazz soloing over chord changes (trumpet and tenor)
• Scalewise melody reading in the upper register
• Listening and responding to comping and rhythmic cues