Uptown Funk: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy and modern funk swagger of the original without overcomplicating the ensemble's role. The Grade 4 difficulty makes this accessible to developing players while preserving the groove and sophistication that makes the tune irresistible, giving your ensemble a contemporary chart that still feels substantial.

Sleek, propulsive, and utterly grooving. The arrangement channels the original's kinetic energy and funk attitude while sitting comfortably in an ensemble context, delivering swagger without ego.

Jazz ensemble directors looking for a Grade 4 chart that actually engages modern audiences and student musicians. Your players likely already know this tune from popular culture, which accelerates buy-in and makes the learning curve feel rewarding rather than academic.

• Lock the groove between drums and bass first; everything else locks into that foundation. Spend rehearsal time isolating these parts until they breathe as one.
• The syncopated rhythms across the horn section require clean articulation. Emphasize the staccato markings and ensure attacks are unified, especially on the signature riff.
• Balance is crucial in the sax and trumpet sections. The melody can easily disappear if the harmonic voices push too hard underneath; pull back the middle voicing.
• Study the original recording to internalize the feel. The pocket of this tune sits slightly behind the beat; recordings provide essential reference for capturing that aesthetic.

Pair this with a mix of standards to show your ensemble's range and currency. It works equally well as an opener that grabs attention or as a second-half closer that sends the audience out energized. Consider programming it alongside another contemporary pop arrangement to frame a "modern voices" set.

• Syncopated rhythmic reading in contemporary pop/funk contexts
• Clean articulation and staccato control across horn sections
• Ensemble balance in multi-voice harmonic arrangements
• Groove-based feel and pocket playing rather than straight metronomic time