Tank! (from Cowboy Bebop) (arr. Paul Murtha): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Yoko Kanno / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK01209750
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Description
From the Japanese anime television series "Cowboy Bebop," this exuberant tune has taken on a life of its own, and is simply flat out fun! Composed by Yoko Kanno and arranged here for younger ensembles by Paul Murtha, this exciting chart features a driving bass line with saxes on the main melody and punches from the brass. Solos are included for alto sax and trumpet.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01209750
More about this title
About the Composer: Yoko Kanno
Yoko Kanno stands among the most prolific and versatile composers working in film and television. Her work spans orchestral soundtracks, jazz-inflected scores, and experimental electronic music, earning her international recognition for her ability to shift genres with ease and authenticity.
Kanno's score for "Cowboy Bebop" became a landmark in anime music, blending bebop, blues, funk, and orchestral elements into a coherent sonic identity. Her compositional approach values melodic clarity and rhythmic drive, qualities that make her work particularly rewarding for young musicians to perform.
Why we love this
Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without overcomplicating the voicings. Young players get a genuine taste of how jazz melody and harmony work in a real compositional context, complete with solo opportunities that feel natural rather than tacked on.
What to expect
The tune bounds forward with restless optimism, driven by a bass line that never lets up and punctuated by sharp brass stabs. There's a contemporary swagger here, rooted in bebop but undeniably modern, with enough melodic catchiness that audiences will be humming it long after the final note.
Who it's for
Grade 3 jazz ensembles with developing soloists and a rhythm section ready to commit to a solid groove. This works especially well for younger players encountering jazz idiom for the first time, since the arrangement respects their technical level while still delivering authentic big-band energy.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the bass line locked and propulsive throughout. This groove is the spine of the chart; if the rhythm section breathes together, the whole ensemble will swing.
- Balance the alto and trumpet solos by having them rehearse with just rhythm section first. This builds confidence and ensures they lock into the groove before playing with the full band.
- Shape the brass punches with precision and uniformity. These hits punctuate the melody, so talk through the articulation and dynamic onset as a section before rehearsal.
- Bring out the sax melody without letting it overshadow the rhythm section's work. The tune sits high in the range, so a light touch from the ensemble goes a long way.
How to use it
Pair this with other film and television arrangements to create a "media scores" set, or slot it into a concert where you want to shift energy and surprise your audience with something they actually recognize. It works brilliantly as a closer, leaving the room energized rather than contemplative.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz articulation and phrasing (tonguing, swing feel, note shaping)
- Reading and executing brass punches with precision
- Building and maintaining a swing groove as an ensemble
- Solo construction and improvisation over a defined chord progression
- Balancing melody with rhythm section accompaniment