What's New: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Jack Cooper's arrangement gives this classic standard genuine star power for your lead alto without leaving the rest of the ensemble in the background. The double-time section and shout chorus inject real energy into what could easily become a sleepy ballad, and the written-out solo removes the pressure of spontaneous improvisation while keeping the jazz aesthetic intact.

Intimate and elegant in its opening, with the alto voice floating over subtle harmonic support. The energy builds through the double-time interlude and swells into a jubilant shout section that celebrates the entire ensemble, then returns to the lyrical beauty of the melody. There's genuine swing here alongside romance.

Jazz ensemble directors seeking a soulful ballad feature that highlights the lead alto section while maintaining ensemble engagement across all four minutes. Intermediate to advancing high school jazz programs will find this level accessible, and the dramatic arc keeps student musicians invested throughout.

• Balance the lead alto's melody against ensemble figures in the opening section; the arrangement sits the saxophone voice prominently, but rhythmic clarity from the rhythm section and section hits makes the feature sparkle.
• Shape the transition into double time deliberately, treating it as a momentum shift rather than a sudden tempo change. Give the ensemble a clean pickup and lock the rhythmic precision.
• During the shout chorus, commit fully to the dynamic contrast. Bigger and brasher than the opening makes the musical arc satisfying.
• The written solo is a gift; use it as a model for phrasing and time feel rather than a constraint. Let players breathe within the written lines.

Program this after an uptempo opener to show range and contrast on a concert program, or use it as the emotional centerpiece of a jazz standards set. The 4:23 length and Grade 3 accessibility make it a natural fit for spring concerts where audiences expect both technical display and musical maturity.

• Ballad playing with warm tone and lyrical phrasing
• Double-time feel and tempo management during section shifts
• Ensemble balance and background voicing supporting a featured soloist
• Swing interpretation and time feel across different energy levels
• Sectional coordination in a shout chorus arrangement