Ulla in Africa: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Wiberny captures the infectious groove of highlife and Latin funk without resorting to oversimplification. The writing gives every section something meaningful to play, and the immediate recognizability of the styles means students hear themselves nailing authentic sounds from their very first rehearsal.

Sunshine, movement, and forward momentum. The highlife and Latin funk textures create a warm, danceable energy that feels both sophisticated and immediately joyful. There's a sense of travel and discovery woven throughout.

Jazz ensembles and small combos looking to expand beyond straight-ahead bebop and blues changes into world music territory. This works well for students who have solid fundamentals in swing and basic funk but are ready to explore different grooves and cultural idioms.

• Lock the kick drum, bass, and piano into a tight pocket before bringing in the other sections. The highlife and funk grooves depend entirely on that rhythmic foundation staying solid.
• Listen to authentic African highlife and Latin funk recordings as a section. Hearing the real deal helps musicians internalize the swing and syncopation rather than just reading it off the page.
• Balance the horn section so the melody reads clearly over the underlying groove. In funk and highlife, the horn parts support and color the rhythm; they should never overpower it.
• Emphasize the call-and-response moments between rhythm and horns. This conversational quality is essential to both styles and keeps the arrangement from feeling static.

Program this as a concert highlight alongside other world-influenced jazz arrangements, or use it as a bridge piece in a set that mixes classic jazz standards with contemporary and global sounds. It works particularly well in spring or end-of-year concerts where students can celebrate their growth across different styles.

• Groove pocket in highlife and Latin funk styles
• Syncopation and cross-rhythmic phrasing across ensemble parts
• Call-and-response communication between rhythm section and horn line
• Idiomatic interpretation of non-American jazz traditions
• Balance and blend in a small combo setting