Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) (arr. Paul Murtha): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Mark Ronson / As performed by Bruno Mars / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00452414
Digital Download
$55.00
One moment…
Description
Recorded by Mark Ronson and featuring Bruno Mars, this sassy funk tune is on its way to becoming a modern day standard. Here's a hot version for vocal solo that captures all the excitement of the original.
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Mark Ronson is a British music producer and DJ whose work spans soul, funk, and pop. His 2014 album "Uptown Special" brought together his signature blend of retro grooves and contemporary production, establishing him as a key voice in modern funk revival. In the classroom, his arrangements and original productions serve as touchstones for understanding how contemporary artists approach rhythm section work and orchestration.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement delivers the swagger of the original without losing any of its infectious energy. The Grade 3-4 voicings give your ensemble a contemporary sound that actually excites students, while the structure keeps technical demands reasonable so the focus stays on pocket and attitude rather than chops.
What to expect
Polished, confident funk with a touch of retro soul. The groove sits in that sweet spot where the band sounds effortless and the audience can't help but move.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles looking for repertoire with genuine swagger and contemporary appeal. Directors who want their students engaging with music that matters to the culture outside the school building.
How to get the most out of it
Lock the rhythm section into a locked, slightly behind-the-beat feel. The groove depends on cohesion between drums and bass, not precision in the traditional sense.
Push the brass stabs to be punchy and articulate. They're response figures, so they need snap to answer the vocal line effectively.
Keep the solo section laid-back. Tension comes from restraint here, not from running faster or playing louder than the ensemble.
Balance the vocal against the ensemble so the groove remains the star. This arrangement serves the song's pocket first.
How to use it
Place this in a spring concert or end-of-year program where you want a crowd-pleasing moment. It pairs well with jazz standards while showing students that the ensemble can own contemporary material with the same musicality they bring to anything else.
Skills your students will build
Playing behind the beat with precision and intention
Syncopated rhythmic figures in brass sections
Balancing solo melody with ensemble groove
Dynamics control in funk-based articulation
Reading and executing brass stab figures with synchronization
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
