Soulful Strut Sheet Music Preview

Soulful Strut: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

By Eugene Record and William Sanders / arr. Victor López

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-PK-0007011

Digital Download
makemusic Cloud badge
$52.00

Parts Added to Cart!

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 Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Jazz Band Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 98
SKU: 00-PK-0007011

More about this title

About the Composer: Eugene Record

Eugene Record made his mark as a soul and R&B songwriter and producer during the 1970s, bringing funk-inflected grooves and emotional depth to popular music. His compositions have been recorded and reinterpreted across multiple genres, proving their enduring melodic and rhythmic appeal.

Why we love this

This arrangement lands exactly where a Grade 3 jazz ensemble needs it: the groove is infectious enough to keep players locked in, but the solo opportunities (tenor sax and lead trumpet) give your stronger performers room to shine. Victor López's voicings give the piece sophistication without overcomplicating the sectional writing, making it rewarding for both student musicians and audiences.

What to expect

Smooth, confident, and groovy. The rhythm section locks into a funky pocket while the horns float above with soulful phrasing. It's the sound of a band that knows how to swing without apologizing for the funk underneath.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 3 level who want a contemporary-sounding piece that sits comfortably in a student-friendly range. This works for groups with developing improvisers and soloists; the tenor sax and trumpet solo sections accommodate both written and improvised approaches.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) into a tight pocket at 96 BPM before layering horns; the funk feel depends entirely on their cohesion.
  • Balance the tenor sax solo so it sits over the ensemble without drowning in the background; this is a feature moment, not a solo over a light vamp.
  • Push the lead trumpet player to maintain secure control through the high passages, especially into the written F-sharp; clarity matters more than volume at this range.
  • Keep vibes optional in rehearsal and arrange who plays based on your ensemble's strength; if you have a vibraphonist, they'll add color and refinement to the texture.

How to use it

Pair this with a mix of standards and original jazz compositions in a concert; its pop sensibility appeals to audiences while showcasing your ensemble's ability to execute contemporary grooves. Use it midway through a set to shift the energy from ballad or bebop territory into something with forward momentum.

Skills your students will build

  • Locking into a funk groove and maintaining pocket
  • Solo construction and improvisation (tenor sax and trumpet)
  • Lead trumpet range extension to written F-sharp
  • Ensemble balance when supporting a featured soloist
  • Managing rubato and phrasing in a pop/funk context

You May Also Like