Watermelon Man: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$52.00 USD

Watermelon Man: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Watermelon Man: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-30665
Price: 52.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Herbie Hancock / arr. Mike Kamuf

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-30665

$52.00

Shipped

One moment…

Oh yeah! This is the crowd pleaser and the band pleaser---a win-win. Fun, funky, hip, groovy---call it what you want, this chart is excellent in every way . If you have a decent bari player, he or she will really love this one. Some features are written-out solos for alto and tenor sax, a stop-time for the saxes, a fantastic interlude section, a monster shout chorus and some short drum fills. Optional parts are included, too! (4:43) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Watermelon Man: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Young Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 100

ISBN10: 1-4706-5990-5

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5990-5

UPC: 038081350363

SKU: 00-30665

More about this title

About the Composer: Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock revolutionized jazz keyboard playing and composition across five decades, moving fluidly between acoustic piano, electric keyboards, and synthesizers. His 1973 funk masterpiece "Watermelon Man" remains one of the most recognizable grooves in modern music, originally recorded as a playful nod to his earlier acoustic composition and later reimagined in countless styles and ensembles.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Kamuf's arrangement captures the infectious groove and melodic hooks of the original while building in real interest for every section. The written solos for alto and tenor give students a chance to learn and perform authentic jazz lines, and the shout chorus lands hard enough to get genuine applause from any audience.

What to expect

Funky and grounded, with that unmistakable Herbie Hancock swagger. The chart swings hard when it needs to, locks into rock-solid funk when the groove takes over, and builds energy through well-placed shout sections that feel celebratory rather than forced.

Who it's for

Grade 2 jazz ensembles with players who have solid rhythmic chops and can handle simple jazz vocabulary. A strong baritone saxophonist will elevate the arrangement considerably, but it rewards any group willing to commit to the groove.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the bari sax into the pocket early in rehearsals. This player anchors the sound, and once they nail the groove, the rest of the section will follow naturally.
Treat the stop-time section like a conversation. Each saxophone entrance should feel deliberate and conversational, not rushed; let the rhythm section breathe in those gaps.
The interlude works best when you drill the ensemble entrances as a unit. Mark those spots clearly in parts and run them repeatedly until they hit together.
Keep the drum fills tight and musical. They punctuate the arrangement rather than overshadow it; a student drummer who listens and responds will make this section shine.

How to use it

This works as the centerpiece of a jazz or contemporary pops concert, or as an energetic closer on a mixed repertoire program. It's accessible enough for early-season performances but sophisticated enough to hold its own alongside more challenging material later in the year.