Tell Me a Bedtime Story: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Baylock's arrangement captures the essence of Hancock's funkiness while remaining fully playable at the Grade 4 level. The straight-eighth groove sits comfortably for ensemble ensemble musicians, the provided chord changes give your tenor soloist real independence, and those meter shifts add just enough complexity to feel sophisticated without derailing rehearsal progress.

Laid-back and groovy, with a modern funk undertone that keeps the ensemble engaged rather than lulled. The energy is conversational, built more on pocket and precision than flash, though the high trumpet moments and meter changes inject just enough compositional personality to remind listeners this is no generic standard.

This score is built for jazz ensemble directors working with students at the intermediate-to-advanced level who have solid fundamentals and want a vehicle that challenges without demanding professional chops. It's equally valuable in contest preparation, where the Hancock pedigree and clean arrangement writing earn judges' attention.

• Lock the straight-eighth feel early by having the rhythm section anchor the pocket at 118 BPM; a triplet-free touch on the hihat and kick drum sets the groove immediately.
• Give the lead trumpet explicit guidance on the high D passages. Breathing room and dynamic support from the section help the soloist land confidently in that upper register.
• Flag the meter changes in sectionals before the full ensemble run-through. Mark them clearly in parts and count through transitions so nobody catches the shift on stage.
• Let the tenor soloist inhabit the provided changes. This arrangement gives them space to voice the chords their way; rehearse the head together, then step back and listen during improvisation.

Program this mid-set to shift the energy after a ballad or swing chart. The five-minute-plus duration gives you a substantial anchor piece for a jazz concert, and the contest-ready arranging makes it natural alongside other Premier Jazz selections in a full evening program.

• Reading and maintaining straight-eighth grooves with precision
• Navigating meter changes (implied mixed meters) without losing pocket
• Chord-reading and soloing guidance from written progression
• Upper register trumpet technique and endurance
• Listening to and supporting a featured soloist while staying locked in rhythm