Play That Funky Music: Guitar Chords

Mike Story strips away nothing essential and builds nothing unnecessary. The arrangement respects what made this song irresistible on the radio while giving young musicians genuinely playable parts and something worth the effort: written solos that let trumpet and trombone players actually shine rather than survive. It's the rare pop tune arrangement that sounds like real jazz ensemble work instead of a novelty.

Funky and direct, without pretense. The groove is immediately recognizable and contagious. There's joy in the simplicity of the rhythmic approach and genuine satisfaction when a section locks into the pocket together. Young soloists get to taste what it feels like to lead an ensemble, even briefly.

First-year jazz ensemble musicians who are ready for real repertoire with genuine soloists. Conductors building young jazz bands need material that maintains interest across all sections while keeping rhythmic and harmonic demands reasonable. This works for students who've tackled basic swing but need a vehicle that teaches funk feel and blues-inflected phrasing.

• Emphasize the groove pocket over rushing the tempo. The accompaniment parts need to sit back and lock together before the soloists step forward.
• Let the soloists own their moments. These are written parts designed to showcase individual musicianship, so encourage your trumpet and trombone players to find their voice and color within the given lines.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a timing reference during early rehearsals, but move away from it as the band develops independence in its rhythm section.
• Anchor the funk feel with your bass and drum parts. Once these two players settle the groove, everything else falls into place naturally.

Pair this with one standard swing tune and a ballad to show your young ensemble's range in a single concert set. Its accessibility and fun factor make it ideal for recruiting concerts or family nights where you want audiences to recognize the tune and students to feel confident. It also works as a morale booster mid-season when ensemble energy needs refreshing.

• Funk and swing rhythm feels and how they differ
• Blues-inflected melody and phrasing
• Written solo interpretation and personal voice development
• Ensemble cohesion in groove-based music
• Listening and locking with rhythm section
• Basic jazz harmony and comping awareness