This Masquerade: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Frank Mantooth's arrangement honors the song's ballad character while introducing harmonic twists that keep this familiar tune fresh for both players and audiences. The featured tenor sax role gives you a natural centerpiece for a concert while the Grade 4 level keeps the ensemble writing accessible without sacrificing musical sophistication. Programming a strong ballad in the middle of your set creates valuable breathing room and showcases the lyrical side of your jazz ensemble.

Sophisticated and introspective. Mantooth's arrangement maintains the tune's inherent warmth while introducing harmonic sophistication that rewards careful listening. The ballad tempo and reharmonization create intimate space where each ensemble section's voice becomes audible and meaningful.

Jazz ensemble directors seeking a Grade 4 ballad that balances accessibility with musical substance, particularly those wanting to feature a strong tenor sax soloist. Players benefit from the chance to develop ballad phrasing skills and navigate non-standard harmonic movement in a tune many know from the George Benson recording.

• Balance the ensemble carefully during the opening and closing sections so the tenor sax melody cuts through without the rhythm section drowning it out.
• Work with your rhythm section on the harmonic deviations Mantooth introduces; these subtle changes require precise comping and bass movement to land cleanly.
• Shape the phrasing as you would a vocal ballad, using rubato and dynamic nuance rather than metronomic accuracy to communicate the song's inherent expression.
• Give your tenor soloist generous rehearsal time to explore how the reharmonization affects improvisation possibilities; these harmonic changes open different melodic pathways.

Place this in the second half of your concert when audiences are settled and ready for a lyrical shift in mood. The recognizable melody draws listeners in while the arrangement's harmonic twists engage musicians and discerning audience members alike. It pairs well alongside uptempo standards or blues tunes, providing essential dynamic contrast.

• Ballad phrasing and dynamic shaping in a jazz context
• Reading and executing non-standard harmonic movement
• Listening and blending within a slower ensemble texture
• Tenor sax improvisation over reharmonized changes
• Rhythm section comping with harmonic awareness and independence