Unexcused Absences: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

A confident strut with attitude. The funky rock groove sits comfortably in your body, and when the soloists lean into it, the whole ensemble feels like a real working band.

First-year jazz ensembles and young combo players ready to explore contemporary grooves in a supportive, playable context. This chart works equally well for high school beginners and advanced middle school groups seeking accessible rock and funk vocabulary.

• Set a click at 120 BPM and let the band sit with it for a full chorus before the trumpet enters. Young ensembles often push tempo when they're excited about the groove, so anchor early.
• Balance the tenor sax and trumpet solos in the mix during rehearsal. These are your featured players, and clarity here makes the whole chart sing.
• Keep the comping section (piano, bass, drums, guitar if you have them) locked and relaxed. The funky appeal lives in their pocket, not in playing loud.

Program this early in a jazz or pops concert to set an energetic tone and showcase your soloists before featuring more complex charts. It's also an excellent opener for a combo night or youth jazz showcase.

• Locking into a steady 120 BPM groove and maintaining pocket with comping instruments
• Trading soprano and lower voice roles in a funk ensemble texture
• Responding to and supporting featured soloists while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Reading and executing rhythmic figures in a contemporary rock-funk idiom