That Old Black Magic (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Mike Tomaro
Grade: 5
Item: 35-PK00493765
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About the Arranger: Mike Tomaro
Mike Tomaro is a composer and arranger whose work has become a staple in jazz education. His arrangements consistently balance accessibility with musical substance, creating pieces that challenge young players while remaining engaging to perform and hear.
Why we love this
Tomaro takes a classic standard and completely reimagines it through a funk lens, giving your ensemble a contemporary sound without sacrificing the song's DNA. The solo opportunities and dynamic arc create genuine ensemble ownership of the piece rather than mere execution of notes on a page.
What to expect
This arrangement pulses with cool, deliberate restraint in its opening grooves before exploding into unbridled swing energy. The slow burn feel of the shuffle funk creates an almost hypnotic foundation that makes the double-time section feel like the ensemble is suddenly airborne.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate to advanced high school level will find this chart well-suited to their current abilities while pushing them toward greater rhythmic precision and small group independence. It works equally well for college jazz ensembles seeking approachable standards that still demand solid musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into a unified pocket during the shuffle funk sections; the groove quality determines everything that sits on top of it.
- Push the soloists to personalize their eight and sixteen bar spaces rather than play it safe. This chart deserves declaration, not recitation.
- Balance the trombone melody line so it cuts through the rhythm section without dominating; the tune should feel grounded rather than prominent.
- Build intensity gradually through the double-time swing shout chorus by tightening articulation and sharpening ensemble attacks as the chart progresses.
How to use it
Feature this during a concert celebrating jazz standards reimagined, pairing it with other modern treatments of classic material. Its energetic payoff makes it an ideal penultimate selection before a closing ballad or closing number, as the ensemble and audience will be thoroughly engaged.
Skills your students will build
- Shuffle rhythm feel and swing subdivision
- Solo improvisation over chord changes
- Section blend and balance in ensemble textures
- Rhythmic precision during style changes (funk to double-time swing)
- Dynamic control from subtle to explosive