Summertime (from Porgy And Bess) (arr. Paul Murtha): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Murtha respects the tune's sultry character while stripping away unnecessary complexity. Every section of the ensemble gets to play, the Latin rock groove sits beautifully under young players' hands, and the arrangement lets the melody speak without demanding soloists you may not have. It's a feature that actually features the band.

Warm, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool. The Latin rock groove gives the arrangement contemporary muscle while maintaining the original's languid, late-night character. It feels like the ensemble is genuinely playing jazz rather than simply reading notes.

Jazz ensembles at grades 1 through 2, particularly those wanting an accessible feature that includes everyone and requires minimal solo preparation. This works equally well for groups new to jazz as for developing ensembles looking to add a stylistically solid standard to their book.

• Lock the rhythm section into the Latin rock pocket first before bringing in horns. The groove is everything here, so spend rehearsal time getting bass, drums, and piano locked before layering.
• Balance the harmonies by having each section play their notes at a consistent dynamic level. Young players tend to push the melody, but those supporting voicings need equal weight to give the arrangement its richness.
• Let the piece breathe at phrase ends rather than rushing. The sultry character depends on players maintaining control and space, especially in the slower passages.
• Use the full-length recording as a reference for pacing and groove feel, then have the band perform along with it to internalize the rhythm without the accompaniment track.

Pair this with other Gershwin or Broadway standards to build a thematic concert set, or slot it into a spring pops concert where you want something with genuine musical substance. Its approachable level makes it ideal for early season programming when building ensemble cohesion matters more than technical fireworks.

• Latin rock groove and swing feel differentiation
• Ensemble balance in layered horn voicings
• Reading and executing straightforward rhythmic figures
• Understanding harmonic function through listening and playing
• Responding to a steady rhythm section pulse