Soulful Strut Cover Image

Soulful Strut: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$52.00 USD
Sale price  $52.00 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Soulful Strut Cover Image

Soulful Strut: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

By Eugene Record and William Sanders / arr. Victor López

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-40361

makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$52.00
Shipped

One moment…

Description
This pop/funk hit still kicks. At 96 BPM it's solid gold from top to bottom with a written or ad-lib tenor sax solo, lead trumpet range is to written F-sharp top line, and has the usual optional parts to include vibes. The title says it all, it is a Soulful Strut. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Soulful Strut: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Jazz Band Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 98
UPC: 038081458755
SKU: 00-40361

More about this title

About the Composer: Eugene Record

Eugene Record is an influential figure in soul and R&B music, known for crafting songs that blend tight grooves with emotional depth. His work as a composer and recording artist has shaped multiple generations of pop and soul musicians, making his melodies and rhythmic sensibilities foundational to contemporary ensemble arranging.

Why we love this

Victor López's arrangement captures the infectious pocket of the original while writing idiomatically for jazz ensemble voices. The balance between written direction and interpretive freedom (particularly in the tenor sax solo) keeps players engaged without overwhelming them, and at Grade 3, the chart remains playable while never sounding simplified.

What to expect

Confident and lean. The piece moves with swagger at a moderate tempo, combining punchy brass stabs with a syncopated rhythm section that invites players to lock into a real groove. There's space to breathe, both musically and interpretively, while the overall attitude remains cool and propulsive.

Who it's for

Jazz ensemble directors seeking repertoire that feels contemporary and grooves authentically without requiring advanced soloing skills. Students thrive on funk and pop-based material, and this arrangement delivers that energy while building jazz fundamentals through accessible writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the groove before the downbeat. The rhythm section needs to lock in on the pocket at 96 BPM; run separate section rehearsals with drums, bass, and piano before bringing in the horns.
  • Shape the tenor sax solo with intentional phrasing rather than speed. Whether the soloist chooses written or ad-lib, encourage them to listen to the original recording to absorb the tone quality and articulation that defines this tune.
  • Balance the lead trumpet line carefully around the written F-sharp top. It should cut through the texture without forcing; let the harmony support it rather than compensating with excessive volume.
  • Feature the vibes if your ensemble includes them. The optional vibes add harmonic color and reinforce the funk sensibility; their inclusion shifts the overall voicing and texture in meaningful ways.

How to use it

Program this early in your concert when energy and accessibility matter most. It works equally well as an opening number that draws the audience in or as a mid-set pick-me-up between more formal pieces. The 96 BPM tempo and funk foundation make it an ideal bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire in mixed-genre concerts.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in funk/pop contexts
  • Locking with a rhythm section in a medium-tempo groove
  • Balancing soloist and ensemble when trading musical ideas
  • Articulation and tone control in a non-classical idiom
  • Managing dynamics across a sustained funk feel without loss of pocket

You May Also Like