Shake, Twist, and Jump: Drum Set
By Erik Morales
Grade: 2
Item: 98-PC-DJE4132_DS
$7.00
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Description
Straight-up rock 'n' roll reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Fats Domino, to name a few! A great way to get your audience involved as horns imitate the popular doo-wop style of early rock. A solo section with classic blues-style breaks features your best students (written solos and changes provided for most players). Energetic and great as a closer or encore!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DJE4132_DS
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Morales
Erik Morales began composing while still in high school, arranging music for his director's marching band in south Florida in 1985. That early opportunity launched a prolific career spanning classical, jazz, wind, orchestral, and chamber works. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (1989) and studied composition at Florida International University, establishing himself as a composer who balances artistic ambition with genuine educational value.
With over 150 published works, Morales has become known for distinctive melodic and harmonic language that resonates across genres and audiences. His trumpet writing, informed by his own expertise on the instrument, has earned critical acclaim including first-place wins at the National Trumpet Competitions (2006, 2008) and premieres at the International Trumpet Guild conferences. In 2016, he was inducted into the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education's Hall of Fame, cementing his influence in jazz education specifically.
Why we love this
This is pure joy to conduct. The doo-wop horn writing captures authentic early rock energy without sacrificing clarity or ensemble balance, and the blues-style solo section gives your strongest players room to shine while providing written changes so nobody is left hanging. It's an ideal closer that leaves the audience grinning and your ensemble feeling like they accomplished something genuinely musical, not just comedic.
What to expect
Shake, Twist, and Jump channels the infectious swagger of 1950s rock and roll, complete with doo-wop harmonies that feel immediately recognizable and playable. There's a swagger and vintage appeal here that makes audiences remember why they love this music, paired with blues-inflected solo breaks that invite your best players to express themselves.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level looking for repertoire that balances fun with genuine musicianship. This works especially well when you have a few capable soloists but want a chart that keeps the whole ensemble engaged and doesn't require advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums) to a steady swing feel; this is the backbone that lets the horns' doo-wop calls land cleanly.
- Work the solo section as a rehearsal highlight. Even with written changes provided, encourage soloists to personalize their phrasing and listen actively to what's happening around them.
- Keep the overall energy high but controlled. The Grade 2 level means clarity matters more than speed; precision in the horn hits will hit harder than racing through.
- Bring out the blues character in the written breaks. These are moments for students to feel the style, not just read notation.
How to use it
Save this for your closer or encore when audience energy is already high and you want to send people out smiling. It also works as a morale builder mid-rehearsal season; the style is accessible enough to learn quickly but satisfying enough to feel like real progress.
Skills your students will build
- Doo-wop style articulation and phrasing in the horn section
- Blues scale navigation and improvisation within written changes
- Swing feel and rhythmic pocket playing (rhythm section focus)
- Listening and responding to soloists while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Reading lead sheets and chord changes (for soloists)