Prelude to a Kiss: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Dave Wolpe's arrangement respects the melody's inherent lyricism while giving the baritone saxophone a vehicle that demands musicianship, not just technical flash. The contrast between the ballad's intimate phrasing and the swingin' double-time section gives your ensemble a chance to show range, and the clear role division means every section knows exactly what they're supporting.

Ellington's melody carries a quiet sophistication and warmth, inviting the baritone to sing with a rich, breathy tone in the opening ballad section. The shift into double-time brings a sprightly momentum that contrasts beautifully without breaking the emotional arc of the whole piece.

Jazz ensemble directors who have a strong baritone saxophonist and want to give that player a feature that showcases lyricism and control, not just range or speed. This works equally well for concert jazz, festival adjudication, or dance band settings where a showcase ballad is needed.

• Balance the baritone soloist's tone against the ensemble: the accompaniment should frame rather than compete with the lead voice, especially during the ballad passages.
• Approach the double-time section with precision rhythmically but without rushing the underlying swing feel; tempo stability matters more than aggressive energy here.
• Prepare your rhythm section to lock the groove during solos. A baritone ballad feature lives or dies by how solid the piano, bass, and drums sit together.
• Shape the ensemble unison passages with phrase breathing rather than mechanical attacks, letting the baritone player hear the support without feeling pushed.

Feature this as a concert centerpiece or use it to pace a set of uptempo tunes; the ballad feature gives listeners a moment to settle in and hear the individual artistry of your soloist. At festivals, it demonstrates both the musicality of your band and the maturity of your featured player in a way that commands respect from adjudicators.

• Accompanying a featured soloist with appropriate dynamic control and balance
• Executing swing rhythm with precision in both ballad and double-time contexts
• Reading and executing unison ensemble passages with phrase shaping
• Listening and responding to soloist phrasing and tempo inflection