Treasure: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement distills the track's infectious funk pocket into parts that young ensemble members can actually execute while keeping the original's infectious energy intact. The Grade 3 voicing gives your section leaders meaningful work without overwhelming the ensemble, and the arrangement respects the simplicity that makes this tune so satisfying to play.

Smooth and propulsive, like a well oiled machine moving with purpose. The arrangement balances a laid-back R&B swagger with punchy hits that reward tight ensemble playing, creating a feel that's equally comfortable at a concert or a jazz festival.

This works beautifully for Grade 3 jazz ensembles that are ready for contemporary material with real groove but haven't yet tackled complex harmonic substitutions or extended solos. Directors building programs around accessible hits will find this arrangement delivers authentic funk language without requiring advanced reading skills.

• Establish the groove pocket with your rhythm section before full ensemble rehearsal; lock the kick drum and bass line so the horns have a solid foundation to sit into.
• Layer dynamics intentionally across the sections. The original's appeal comes from restraint, not volume, so encourage your players to think about texture and space rather than playing at full volume.
• Balance the syncopated hits with the walking sections by rehearsing them as two distinct textures. Mark clear section breaks in the parts so everyone knows when the grooves shift.
• Record a rehearsal playback and listen for tuning in the sustained chords; funk voicings that are even slightly flat kill the modern sheen this arrangement requires.

Slot this into a pop-focused jazz concert alongside other contemporary hits to show audiences that jazz ensembles command modern repertoire with the same authority as traditional swing charts. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for introducing younger jazz players to funk phrasing and groove sensibility before moving into heavier ensemble writing.

• Funk phrasing and the feel of syncopated eighth note placement
• Reading and executing ensemble hits with unified articulation
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures within the same arrangement
• Understanding how R&B and funk harmony differs from traditional jazz voicings
• Listening and locking to a defined rhythmic groove