Vehicle: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Ralph Ford's arrangement captures everything that made the original a radio staple: infectious energy, strong melodic hooks, and moments built for showcase solos. The Grade 2 voicing keeps the chart accessible while maintaining genuine rock credibility, and the written trombone solo with cadenza gives your section leaders real material to sink their teeth into.

Propulsive and celebratory. The arrangement has the swagger of a classic rock radio hit, with that specific 1970s-80s blend of melodic accessibility and instrumental muscle. There's space for players to breathe and shine individually, but the overall feel stays focused and rhythmically tight.

Jazz ensemble directors running mixed-ability groups or programs early in the year when you need to rebuild after a break. This works equally well for student players building soloing confidence and for established groups looking to program something that will generate genuine enthusiasm from the audience.

• Feature the 1st trombone solo prominently in rehearsals from the start. The cadenza needs rhythmic confidence and a strong sense of the groove, so isolate that passage early and give the player time to own it.
• Keep the rhythm section locked and driving. This chart lives on forward momentum; any hesitation in the drums or bass pulls the energy down immediately.
• Balance the trumpet line carefully when the written A appears. The optional high note should feel earned, not strained, so make sure players have the valve technique and air support to hit it cleanly.

Slot this into a concert that mixes jazz standards with contemporary rock, or use it as a standalone opener that immediately signals to your audience that the ensemble knows how to play with style and conviction. It also serves as a springboard for discussions about arranging rock for ensemble, since Ford's choices are clear and pedagogically visible.

• Reading rock and jazz ensemble voicings with strong rhythmic precision
• Executing written-out solos with expressive phrasing and cadential control
• Balancing individual showcase moments within a group ensemble texture
• Playing with consistent groove and forward rhythmic momentum
• Managing optional high range extension with secure valve technique