This accessible version of Ramsey Lewis's famous gospel classic has a rock flair and will showcase your sax section and pianist. The written piano solo is followed by a double-time section with a sax soli over optional background vocals provided by the brass section. Highly entertaining with plenty of audience appeal.
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Ramsey Lewis (1935-2014) was a pianist and composer who bridged jazz, soul, and gospel traditions. His work in the 1960s and beyond demonstrated how accessible, groove-oriented jazz could reach audiences far beyond jazz clubs, and his compositions became standard repertoire in music education because they balance authenticity with approachability.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures everything that makes gospel-influenced jazz work in a beginning ensemble: strong rhythmic foundation, a clear spotlight for your saxophones, and genuine entertainment value without demanding advanced technique. The written piano solo gives your pianist something substantial to play while the double-time sax soli section provides that moment of real lift that audiences feel.
What to expect
Soulful and buoyant. The arrangement carries the spiritual warmth of the original gospel tune but delivers it through a modern rock lens, creating something that feels both grounded and energized. The shift into double-time intensifies the momentum and gives the ensemble a genuine climactic moment.
Who it's for
Beginning jazz ensemble directors looking for repertoire with immediate appeal and low technical barriers. Students at Grade 1 level will find rewarding parts that let them experience real jazz style and ensemble balance without advanced improvisation or difficult ranges.
How to get the most out of it
Lock the rock groove in the rhythm section first. The piano and bass establish the pocket that everything else rides on, so spend rehearsal time there before layering in the horns.
Shape the written piano solo with intention. This is a featured moment for your pianist, so encourage rubato and dynamic variation rather than metronomic accuracy.
Balance the sax soli carefully against the optional brass background vocals. The saxes should cut through, but the brass voicing should be heard as a cohesive backdrop, not competing lines.
Bring out the rock character in the articulation. Shorter note values and crisp attacks will give this the energy the arrangement calls for.
How to use it
Use this as an opener or closer on a jazz concert to establish an upbeat tone and connect with listeners who may not regularly attend jazz performances. It works equally well on a mixed-genre concert as a bridge between classical and more contemporary repertoire.
Skills your students will build
Reading and performing in swing and rock feels
Ensemble balance with featured solo sections
Gospel-inflected phrasing and articulation
Supporting roles in a sax-featured arrangement
Coordination with optional vocal layers
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