Superstar (arr. Mark Taylor): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Carpenters / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 5
Item: 35-PK01095950
$65.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
"Superstar" was a pop hit for several artists in the '70s and '80s, and Mark Taylor has given it fresh life as a contemporary-sounding jazz waltz. A solo trombone is featured throughout, with plenty of support from the rest of the ensemble. Also included are solos for tenor sax, trumpet, and drums. A distinctive new take on a classic tune.
Superstar (arr. Mark Taylor): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01095950
More about this title
About the Artist: Carpenters
The Carpenters emerged in the early 1970s as one of the decade's defining pop acts, built on Karen Carpenter's unmistakable contralto voice and Richard Carpenter's sophisticated arranging sensibility. Their catalog balanced accessibility with genuine musical craft, earning them Grammy Awards and multi-platinum status while maintaining artistic credibility. Songs like "Superstar" became standards precisely because they combined emotional directness with harmonic and melodic intelligence.
For music educators, the Carpenters' work remains relevant because it demonstrates how pop songwriting at its best can serve jazz and ensemble arrangements. Their melodies have withstood decades of reinterpretation, and their original productions showcase the kind of thoughtful orchestration that jazz arrangers continually draw from.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor has reframed a beloved pop standard as a swinging waltz, which immediately sets this apart from standard big band fare. The arrangement wisely features trombone from start to finish, giving you a clear focal point while the ensemble maintains momentum behind it, and the secondary solos for tenor sax, trumpet, and drums ensure your section leaders stay engaged throughout.
What to expect
Smooth and contemporary without slipping into nostalgia. The waltz frame gives it an unexpected sophistication, while the trombone's warmth and the ensemble's supportive cushion create an intimate performance atmosphere that feels both swinging and refined.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble directors programming for audiences who know the original recording and will recognize the melody instantly. This works equally well for groups seeking accessible repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicianship or for programs wanting to bridge jazz and pop styles without feeling novelty-driven.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the triplet feel early in rehearsals. The waltz meter combined with contemporary jazz rhythms can blur together if the ensemble doesn't lock the subdivision.
- Keep the trombone soloist's tone warm and singing. This isn't a bebop burner; it's an intimate feature that works best when it feels lyrical over the ensemble texture.
- Balance the drums solo carefully in the mix. The brushes and sticks should speak clearly without overwhelming the harmonic foundation underneath.
- Coach the ensemble to support soloists with flexible, responsive comping rather than strict rhythmic hits. The arrangement breathes when everyone listens actively.
How to use it
This fits naturally into a mixed program where it can follow or precede more traditional jazz standards, offering a refreshing tonal shift. It's also a strong closer that leaves the audience humming something they already love, making it an effective final impression before intermission or the end of the set.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and maintaining 3/4 meter in a contemporary jazz context
- Supporting soloists with responsive ensemble comping
- Balancing rhythmic precision with expressive flexibility in swing contexts
- Extended solo opportunities across multiple instrument families
- Interpreting groove and feel in waltz time