Seven Steps to Heaven (arr. Michael Philip Mossman): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Miles Davis / Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00450369
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Description
Based on Miles's own recording of this uptempo swinger. Plenty of fun lines scored for all four horns.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00450369
More about this title
About the Artist: Miles Davis
Miles Davis shaped modern jazz across seven decades, moving fluidly from bebop through cool jazz, modal exploration, and electric fusion. His recordings defined how jazz ensembles approached melody, harmony, and collective improvisation; his influence on bandleading, arranging, and the art of listening remains unmatched in jazz pedagogy.
Why we love this
Mossman's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Miles's original recording while distributing engaging lines across all four horns so no section feels sidelined. The uptempo swing groove gives students the chance to experience how a simple, elegant head can anchor a piece that's genuinely fun to perform and fun to listen to.
What to expect
Bright, propulsive energy with enough space for the ensemble to breathe. The uptempo groove creates momentum, while the scored horn lines give everyone a role in moving the piece forward. It feels like a band on the same page, playing something worth saying.
Who it's for
Grade 4 jazz ensembles with solid readers who are ready to move beyond ballads and explore the rhythmic and harmonic demands of a genuine swinger. This works equally well for rehearsal depth and performance, whether your students are building jazz chops or discovering why the Miles Davis catalog matters.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the walk on beat 2 and 4 in the rhythm section from the first rehearsal; this foundation lets everyone else settle into the swing feel.
- Balance the horn lines so the melody cuts through without drowning out the inner voices; test this with and without the recorded accompaniment.
- Communicate the infectious lightness of the melody through articulation and phrasing rather than dynamic force; think 'dance' instead of 'blow.'
How to use it
Pair this with a ballad or blues to show the range of the jazz idiom in a single concert set. It also works beautifully as a finale to a jazz festival or showcase, where that closing sense of swing and joy leaves the audience energized. Use it mid-season once students have the technical foundation to focus on style and feel rather than survival.
Skills your students will build
- Comping and rhythm section coordination in uptempo swing
- Balancing melody and countermelody within a horn section
- Articulation and phrasing in a jazz context (legato vs. separation)
- Reading and executing jazz notation and style
- Listening and responding to ensemble texture in real time