Sir Duke (arr. Michael Philip Mossman): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00228229
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
In 1977 Stevie Wonder was in his prime and "Sir Duke" was on top of the charts. Michael Mossman takes this familiar hit and adds his own unique touch. The middle section goes into a double time swing and includes a solo for tenor sax, a soli for the saxes, and also a drum break. All the familiar lines from the original are still there too.
Sir Duke (arr. Michael Philip Mossman): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00228229
More about this title
About the Artist: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder stands among the most influential musicians of the late 20th century, blending soul, funk, and pop into a deeply personal sound. His work from the 1970s fundamentally shaped how musicians approach harmony, rhythm, and production, making his compositions natural fits for jazz arrangements that respect the original while exploring new harmonic territory.
Why we love this
Mossman's arrangement respects the infectious groove and memorable melody that made the original a classic while giving your ensemble genuine improvisation opportunities. The double time swing section and strategic solos transform a pop standard into a vehicle for real musicianship, letting students experience how a great tune can sound fresh when reimagined for jazz ensemble.
What to expect
The arrangement captures the funk and joy of the original while swinging hard in its middle section. You'll feel the energy shift from straight rhythm to a propulsive swing groove that lets the band breathe and play together in a more interactive way.
Who it's for
Grade 4 jazz ensembles seeking repertoire that connects to students' musical lives while developing serious jazz skills. Directors programming a concert that balances contemporary grooves with ensemble musicianship will find this arrangement bridges both worlds effectively.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the groove in the opening section before attempting the double time swing; the rhythmic foundation here makes the tempo shift feel effortless rather than jarring.
- Feature your strongest tenor saxophonist in the solo section, but give them clear harmonic landmarks so they don't drift from the arrangement's harmonic center.
- Balance the sax soli with careful attention to blend and intonation; these unison passages need uniformity without losing the jazz quality of the articulation.
- Use the drum break as a moment for your rhythm section to establish the pocket for the swing feel that follows; this is where the ensemble's collective time truly solidifies.
How to use it
Place this early in a set to grab audience attention with a recognizable tune, then use it to demonstrate how your ensemble handles jazz style and improvisation. It works equally well as a closer that sends the audience out happy, or as the centerpiece of a concert exploring how pop compositions find new life in jazz settings.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and articulation in a double time context
- Listening and responding to solo improvisation
- Blend and intonation in sectional unison passages
- Maintaining groove and rhythmic pocket through style changes
- Jazz ensemble balance with prominent saxophone writing