Two Front Teeth: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

A playful, swinging take on a familiar novelty with genuine samba flavor. The piece bounces between sections with infectious energy, then settles into groovy solos that feel earthy and real rather than overly rehearsed. The shout chorus finale invites the whole ensemble to celebrate what they've just accomplished together.

Jazz ensemble directors working with grade 2 ensembles who want material that feels current and fun without compromising musicianship. This works well for groups still building section balance and independence, since the melody travels across all voices and solos are written for accessibility.

• Keep the intro rubato spacious and unhurried; let the piano and bass establish the gentle sway before the ensemble enters.
• Lock the rhythm section into the samba pocket during the medium tempo section; the altos and trumpets need a rock-solid foundation to punctuate their entrance cleanly.
• Balance the montuna interlude so it breathes as a bridge passage, not a throwaway moment. This gives soloists time to prepare mentally.
• Encourage soloists to commit fully to their written passages, especially the two-chord trumpet solo. Written solos at this level are springboards for confidence, not limitations.

This belongs in a winter concert celebrating joy and humor without kitsch. Pair it with a ballad or swing standard to show range, or program it as a closing number to send the audience home smiling. The four-minute duration and seasonal framing make it ideal for pops concerts, family matinees, or end-of-semester celebrations.

• Reading and performing samba rhythms and clave patterns
• Balancing ensemble texture when melody rotates between sections
• Executing written jazz solos with accompaniment figures (two-chord changes)
• Maintaining groove while comping through a montuna interlude
• Responding to sectional cues and trading passages between horns