Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by The Platters / Arranged by Mike Tomaro
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00422974
$45.00
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Description
Using a distinctive medium slow swing feel this chart makes full use of the 6-horn format, skillfully alternating tutti passages with sections using various scoring combinations. No solos required.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00422974
More about this title
About the Artist: The Platters
The Platters emerged from Los Angeles in the early 1950s to become one of the most influential vocal groups of their era. Their sophisticated blend of rhythm and blues with pop sensibility created timeless standards that crossed racial and generational lines during a pivotal moment in American music history. Their recording of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" became a signature piece that defined the group's elegant, emotionally direct approach to ballad singing.
Why we love this
Tomaro's arrangement captures the emotional warmth of the original without relying on soloists, making it accessible for ensembles still building their improvisation chops. The shifting horn combinations keep the texture engaging across a medium slow swing, so players stay invested even when they're not carrying the melody. This is the kind of standard that audiences recognize immediately and musicians feel good playing.
What to expect
Sophisticated and slightly nostalgic, with the kind of smooth elegance that made mid-century jazz standards so durable. The medium slow swing creates space for lyrical expression while the varied horn textures keep the ensemble engaged across a form that could easily feel static in less thoughtful hands.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble directors looking for repertoire that works with intermediate players who may not yet be comfortable taking solos. Grade 4 groups will find this manageable while still feeling like authentic jazz, and the piece works equally well in concert settings or casual performances where familiarity and musicality matter more than technical display.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the ensemble sound during tutti passages by checking that your second and fourth horns aren't overwhelming the lead voices; this chart depends on blend more than volume.
- Let the swing feel breathe slightly in the opening statement. Resist rushing the medium tempo; the song's emotional core lives in restraint.
- Shape the sectional scoring combinations as small conversational moments rather than abrupt changes. Each configuration should feel like a natural restatement of the melody.
- Give your rhythm section time to lock the swing feel in a full run-through before adding horns. The pocket here is everything.
How to use it
Pair this with other mid-century standards to build a segment that honors the vocal jazz tradition while keeping instrumental energy high. It sits comfortably in a concert where you're mixing eras and styles, offering your audience a musical touchstone they'll recognize and your students a chance to play with genuine jazz repertoire before they're ready to navigate complex solo sections.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing blend and tone across horn sections
- Executing medium swing feel with rhythmic restraint
- Reading sectional scoring that alternates between tutti and chamber combinations
- Responding to subtle dynamic and textural shifts within a standard form