The Nearness of You (arr. Mark Taylor): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by George Shearing / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00468753
$55.00
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Description
Written as a solo vehicle for tenor sax, Mark has created a marvelous setting on this Hoagy Carmichael standard using a sensuous slow Latin groove. Very effective!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00468753
More about this title
About the Artist: George Shearing
George Shearing was a British jazz pianist whose sophisticated harmonic sensibility and refined touch defined the cool jazz sound of the 1950s. His ability to craft elegant, accessible arrangements of jazz standards while maintaining genuine musicianship made him one of the era's most recorded artists and a natural choice for educators seeking repertoire that balances sophistication with playability.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor's arrangement spotlights the tenor sax in a role that feels both intimate and swinging, built on the sensuous Latin groove that gives the tune its character. The Grade 4 scoring stays focused on clarity and balance, letting ensemble players support the soloist without overwhelming the arrangement's natural elegance. This works because it trusts the music itself rather than piling on complexity.
What to expect
Warm and intimate, like late night conversation set to music. The Latin undercurrent gives the tune a touch of sophistication while the melody itself remains deeply singable and human.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who are ready for ballad repertoire that requires musicianship over technical fireworks. Tenor sax players developing their solo voice and sensitivity will find this a rewarding feature opportunity.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the Latin groove steady and unhurried; the tune's appeal lives in space and breath, not forward momentum. A metronome set slightly slower than feels natural often serves these ballad grooves better.
- Shape the tenor sax entrance with vulnerability. The player should think about the lyrical quality of the melody before worrying about projection.
- Balance the comping voices so they support rather than compete with the solo line. Section players should listen actively to the soloist's phrasing and breathe with them.
- Allow flexibility within the groove's foundation. Good jazz ensembles breathe together; mechanical precision works against the style here.
How to use it
Pair this with an up-tempo standard to create a jazz set that shows your ensemble's range and emotional depth. It works particularly well as a concert closer that leaves the audience in a reflective mood, or earlier in a program as a palette cleanser between higher-energy selections.
Skills your students will build
- Soloing over a slow groove with tasteful space and phrasing
- Comping and accompanying with sensitivity and restraint
- Maintaining a steady Latin groove at soft dynamics
- Listening and responding to another musician's solo in real time
- Interpreting jazz articulation and vibrato on a ballad