Sun Goddess: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mike Tomaro's arrangement captures the infectious groove of the original while giving your ensemble room to breathe with those killer trombone hits and extended solo sections. The writing balances accessibility with sophistication, meaning your students stay engaged both as section players and as featured soloists. You get the funk credibility of Earth, Wind and Fire without sacrificing musical substance.

Smooth, grooving, and confidently funky. The arrangement opens with a punch from the trombones, then relaxes into that characteristic Earth, Wind and Fire swagger as soloists trade ideas over the ensemble's supportive backdrop. There's real joy in the orchestration, the kind that makes audiences move.

Directors looking to program a contemporary funk tune that stretches beyond typical jazz standards without losing musicality. Your soloists (especially your alto saxophonist and pianist) will appreciate material that feels current while the ensemble parts reward solid section work.

• Lock the ensemble into the pocket before rehearsing the solos. The trombone section's opening riff sets the tone for the whole performance, so nail that rhythmic precision first.
• Create contrast between the solo sections by adjusting the accompaniment's dynamic intensity. The ensemble writing behind piano and alto sax can shift the focus without the soloists changing a single note.
• Let the rhythm section breathe during full ensemble passages. The groove lives in the pocket, not on top of the beat.
• Mark clear cut points between sections in your score. This funk style demands crisp transitions that feel inevitable, not rushed.

Place this on a concert exploring soul, funk, and R&B influences on modern jazz. It pairs naturally with other pop-influenced jazz repertoire and works especially well as a closer where you want the audience to leave smiling. The medium difficulty also makes it ideal for mid-year festivals where you're showcasing student soloists.

• Improvisation over funk changes (piano and alto sax soloists)
• Maintaining consistent groove while ensemble members play written figures
• Dynamic control in section passages supporting soloists
• Syncopated rhythmic accuracy in trombone lead figures
• Listening and reacting to solo lines while maintaining ensemble texture