Tutu Sheet Music Preview

Tutu: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

As performed by Marcus Miller / Arranged by Michael Philip Mossman

Grade: 4

Item: 35-PK00296880

Digital Download
$55.00

Parts Added to Cart!

Description
In 1987 Miles Davis took home the Grammy award for best jazz instrumental soloist for his performance on this composition by Marcus Miller. From the album by the same name, "Tutu" is creatively arranged here for full big band by Michael Philip Mossman in a sultry hip-hop fusion style similar to the original. Featuring distinctive modal style harmonies, a few twists and turns, and solos for trumpet (naturally) and alto sax, this is sure to be a standout selection for any ensemble.

Tutu: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00296880

More about this title

About the Artist: Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller is a bassist, composer, and producer whose work in the 1980s helped define the sound of contemporary jazz fusion. His collaborations with Miles Davis, particularly on the album "Tutu," showcased his ability to blend jazz sophistication with the rhythmic sensibilities of hip-hop and R&B. Miller's compositions balance accessibility with harmonic complexity, making them invaluable resources for ensemble directors seeking repertoire that connects with modern musical sensibilities.

Beyond his work as a sideman, Miller has maintained a prolific career as a bandleader and session musician, recording with everyone from Luther Vandross to Herbie Hancock. His arrangements and compositions consistently prioritize groove and listener engagement without sacrificing musical depth, a quality that has made his work durable in both commercial and educational settings.

Why we love this

Mossman's arrangement captures the sultry, deliberate pacing of the original while giving your ensemble ownership of the groove. The modal harmonies create a sophisticated harmonic environment without requiring overly difficult voicings, and the trumpet and alto sax features offer strong solo vehicles for your strongest improvisers.

What to expect

Sultry and sophisticated, with the unmistakable late-1980s Davis aesthetic of restraint meeting groove. The arrangement maintains the original's hypnotic quality, pulling listeners into a deliberate, almost meditative rhythmic space that nonetheless swings hard.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level ready to dig into contemporary fusion repertoire with harmonic substance. Sections with developing improvisers will benefit from the clear harmonic framework, while your strongest soloists get meaningful featured moments.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the rhythm section lock in the hip-hop inflected pocket before bringing in the horns. The groove is the foundation; everything else builds from there.
  • Balance the modal harmonies by keeping harmonic voices soft and intentional. Avoid rushing through chord changes; let them breathe.
  • Encourage soloists to respond to the accompaniment's texture rather than override it. This is a conversation, not a showcase.
  • Use space strategically. The original recording thrives on restraint, so resist the urge to fill every beat with sound.

How to use it

This works exceptionally well as a late-season concert closer or as a bridge between a standard jazz program and more contemporary material. Pairing it with other fusion or modal jazz selections creates a coherent thematic set that appeals to modern student musicians.

Skills your students will build

  • Playing in modal harmonic contexts with stable tonal centers
  • Interpreting jazz rhythm with hip-hop influenced feels
  • Improvising over fixed harmonic structures
  • Listening and responding to ensemble texture rather than leading
  • Reading and executing syncopated big band voicings

You May Also Like