Tutu: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Tutu gives your ensemble access to repertoire that feels modern and accessible without sacrificing the harmonic sophistication and swing feel that make jazz ensemble playing rewarding. The Miles Davis connection brings prestige, but the arrangement by Michael Philip Mossman ensures the chart sits well for Grade 4 players without oversimplifying the musical content.

Tutu walks a line between funk-influenced groove and lyrical jazz sensibility. The piece has forward momentum without rushing, and a coolness that invites players to settle into the pocket rather than overthink every note.

Grade 4 jazz ensembles ready to explore the Miles Davis catalog and learn how contemporary composers approach fusion material. This works well for programs that want to program accessible but substantial jazz alongside traditional charts, or for students gaining confidence with extended jazz forms and improvisation.

• Lock the ensemble rhythm section into a tight pocket early in rehearsal; the groove is the foundation, and the soloists will settle in more confidently once bass and drums establish the pulse.
• Balance the ensemble hits against any featured horn lines so that the supporting harmony doesn't overshadow the melody or solo sections.
• Pay attention to the dynamic shape of the melody; Miller's compositions often use space and phrasing as much as note content to create impact.
• Encourage soloists to listen actively to each other and respond, rather than simply executing their prepared lines.

Include this in a concert that celebrates fusion and contemporary jazz, particularly if you're programming other Davis-era material or want to show how jazz composition has evolved. It also works as a mid-season ensemble piece once your students have developed comfort with swing feel and basic jazz articulation.

• Swing feel and pocket playing in a contemporary fusion context
• Reading and responding to syncopated ensemble rhythms
• Understanding form in jazz (head, solos, and back to head)
• Listening and responding to other soloists while supporting the groove
• Balancing precision in ensemble hits with the flexibility of jazz phrasing