Tastes Like Chicken: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Berg writes contemporary jazz that actually feels current without abandoning craft. The gospel-inflected introduction and funky groove give this chart genuine personality, while the straightforward voicings and accessible range demands (trumpet tops out at written G) keep young players confident and engaged rather than frustrated.

A warm, soulful introduction sets up an irresistible and slightly cheeky groove that keeps the energy high without demanding virtuosity. The catchy melody sticks with you; the funky backbone makes you move.

Grade 2 jazz ensembles with developing soloists and solid section players. The simplified rhythms and moderate ranges make this ideal for high school groups or community college ensembles where not every player is an advanced improviser but the rhythm section has chops.

• Let the rhythm section settle the groove before the soloists enter; the tempo and pocket matter more than precision here.
• If your saxophonists are uncomfortable with ad-libbing, use the written solos as the default and encourage improvisation only from players who are ready.
• Balance the melody against the funky background figures so the hook cuts through without drowning out the ensemble's momentum.

Program this as a crowd-pleasing opener or closer on a jazz concert. The sub-four-minute runtime and accessible vibe make it work well sandwiched between a standard and something more challenging, giving audiences and players alike a moment of pure fun.

• Comping rhythms in a gospel-funk style
• Balancing soloist dynamics against ensemble texture
• Approaching ad-libbed solos with or without written changes
• Locking into a consistent groove under tempo and feel changes
• Reading contemporary jazz articulation and phrasing cues