The Cannonball Run Cover Image

The Cannonball Run: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

$14.00 USD
$14.00 USD
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The Cannonball Run Cover Image
The Cannonball Run: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

The Cannonball Run: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

As Performed by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

By Gordon Goodwin

Grade: 5 (Advanced / Difficult)

Item: 00-43704S
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Description
A high energy Latin pop groove, this one moves along at a pretty good clip---around 240 BPM. It features a soprano sax lead instead of alto 1 and solo space for all saxes, trumpet 4, and trombones 1 and 2. The lead trumpet range is to written high F. A hot sax section soli and some counterpoint round out this cannonball. Hot stuff! (6:28) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

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Additional Details
Series: Gordon Goodwin Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 48
UPC: 038081498560
SKU: 00-43704S

More about this title

About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin

Gordon Goodwin

Gordon Goodwin began composing at five years old, notating complete pieces rather than fragments. His first big band chart, Hang Loose, arrived when he was just thirteen. This early mastery caught the attention of Hollywood's music department heads, launching a career that would span film scoring, television production, and world-class jazz performance.

Goodwin's three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations reflect decades of work with major artists including Christina Aguilera, Ray Charles, and Quincy Jones. He has conducted symphony orchestras across North America and Europe, and leads Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, which he founded in 2000. His albums have set industry records, including the first commercially released DVD Audio title and multiple Grammy-nominated large jazz ensemble recordings.

Why we love this

Goodwin writes for the musicians you actually have, not an imaginary supergroup. The soprano sax lead strips away the usual alto 1 dominance, and distributed solo space across the full section means every player gets moments to shine. At contest tempo and difficulty level, this piece rewards the work your students have already put in.

What to expect

Fast, propulsive, and designed for forward motion. The Latin pop groove locks you into a groove from measure one, but the soprano sax lead and layered counterpoint add sophistication beyond the surface groove. It's the sound of a working big band firing on all cylinders.

Who it's for

Advanced high school and college jazz ensembles ready for a contest-level Latin groove with serious section and solo work. The Grade 5 difficulty reflects the stamina, rhythmic precision, and harmonic understanding needed to execute Goodwin's arranging at tempo.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythm section to the straight-eighth groove at 240 BPM. Any rushing in the kick drum or bass will derail the Latin pocket.
  • Balance the soprano sax lead against the ensemble. At this tempo and volume, she'll compete with four saxes behind her; mark dynamic boundaries in rehearsal to keep her voice clear.
  • Balance the hot sax section soli so each voice articulates cleanly. Block out who's carrying the melody, who's counterpoint, who's supporting.
  • Give trumpet 4 and both trombones room to develop their solos. These aren't solo features in the foreground; they're extended ensemble statements, so shape them as compositional moments, not jam sessions.

How to use it

This is a strong contest selection that also works as a late-season showcase concert feature. The length (6:28) makes it centerpiece material; pair it with a ballad and a swing standard to show your ensemble's range.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining Latin-groove rhythmic precision at fast tempo (240 BPM)
  • Reading and executing written solo space within a composed arrangement
  • Balancing ensemble blend while a single melodic voice (soprano sax) leads above the section
  • Executing written counterpoint and soli passages with clear voice independence
  • Improvising over chord changes in a formal solo context within an ensemble setting

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