Tell Me a Bedtime Story: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Alan Baylock's arrangement captures the essence of Hancock's compositional voice while making it viscerally playable for ensemble musicians. The funky straight-eighth groove at 118 BPM sits comfortably in the ensemble's pocket, and the inclusion of chord changes for the tenor solo encourages improvisation within clear harmonic boundaries, turning this into an active learning experience rather than a note-reading exercise.

Warm and groovy, like settling into a comfortable late-night conversation over a gentle funk beat. The melody unfolds with Hancock's signature elegance while the rhythm section propels the piece forward with a relaxed confidence that feels both modern and timeless.

This Grade 4 arrangement suits advanced high school jazz ensembles and college jazz programs seeking material that balances accessibility with sophistication. Directors working with students who have solid fundamentals and are ready to explore improvisation and contemporary jazz styles will find this a natural fit.

• Establish the laid-back groove in sectionals before full ensemble rehearsal. The rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) must lock in first; lock the melody around that foundation once the pocket is solid.
• Prepare the trumpet soloist well in advance. The high D passages demand secure upper register work, and the solo section benefits from rehearsal time with just the rhythm section to build confidence and phrasing.
• Mark the meter changes clearly in all parts and conduct them explicitly in early rehearsals. Once the ensemble trusts the road map, these shifts will feel organic rather than disruptive.
• Let the arrangement breathe at 118 BPM. Resist the urge to rush; the funk lies in laying back, not in acceleration.

Program this as a centerpiece for a jazz concert or festival set where you want to showcase ensemble cohesion and your soloists' voices. Its accessibility and five-minute-plus runtime make it an excellent choice for a medley or as the program's stylistic anchor alongside bebop standards or contemporary fusion pieces.

• Interpreting straight-eighth funk grooves and maintaining pocket discipline
• Reading and executing meter changes (specific transitions written into the arrangement)
• Improvising over jazz chord changes with guidance and structure
• Playing comfortably in the upper trumpet register (up to written high D)
• Balancing section blend in a funky ensemble context without losing articulation clarity