Uptown Throwdown: Score
By Zachary Smith
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0006919
$8.00
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Description
This is a very cool shuffle-swing groove by Zachary Smith is played around 140 BPM. Written solos are provided for trombone 1 and alto 1, a stop-time interlude, a big shout chorus, and an optional vocal shout-out too! Optional parts for flute, clarinet, and vibes and more. Uptown Throwdown is a powerful chart that everyone will enjoy! (4:05)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Uptown Throwdown: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
81
SKU:
00-PR-0006919
More about this title
Why we love this
Smith writes Grade 1 jazz with genuine swagger and personality. The stop-time interlude and shout chorus give your ensemble moments that feel professional and exciting, while the written solos for trombone 1 and alto 1 keep younger players grounded without sacrificing musical interest. This is the kind of chart that makes students actually want to come to jazz band.
What to expect
The shuffle-swing groove sits somewhere between classic funk and modern hip-hop sensibilities, with just enough rhythmic pocket to feel sophisticated without demanding advanced improvisation. A big shout chorus lifts the energy in the final section, and the optional vocal element adds personality that keeps things fresh for audiences.
Who it's for
Grade 1 jazz ensembles looking for accessible repertoire with real momentum and contemporary flavor. This chart works for first-time jazz players who need written solos to guide them and for more experienced groups that want a fun, high-energy vehicle for a concert or festival.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the shuffle-swing interpretation early in rehearsals. The 140 BPM tempo sits naturally for this feel, but solidify the groove in rhythm section first before layering ensemble parts.
- Feature the written solos prominently during sectional rehearsals. Give your trombone and alto players time to own their parts so they deliver the solos with confidence when the full ensemble drops out.
- The stop-time interlude demands rhythmic precision from every player. Have the full ensemble count through these hits together to keep everyone synchronized.
- If you use the optional vocal shout-out, rehearse it separately to nail the phrasing and cutoffs that make it land.
How to use it
Program this as a opener or closer to grab attention and set a contemporary tone for your jazz concert. Its 4:05 length and festival-ready energy also make it an excellent choice for small-group jazz showcases or for filling a slot in a mixed instrumental program where you want the audience to feel the groove.
Skills your students will build
- Shuffle-swing feel and articulation
- Reading and executing stop-time rhythmic figures
- Expressing written solo passages with musicality
- Blending in unison and block-chord shout sections
- Listening and responding to the rhythm section pocket