You're Still a Young Man: E-flat Alto Saxophone

Mike Story's Grade 1 arrangement preserves everything that makes "You're Still a Young Man" groovy: the walking bass line, the locked-in horn unisons, and that irresistible funk feel. Your students will hear themselves making real ensemble music from the first rehearsal, and audiences will recognize the tune immediately. It's the kind of chart that builds confidence while teaching authentic jazz phrasing and ensemble blend.

Funky, confident, and instantly groovy. The piece has the ease of a conversation between friends—unhurried, syncopated, with moments of solo reflection set against a rock-solid ensemble foundation. It feels good to play and feels good to hear.

First-year jazz ensemble directors and students encountering big band charts for the first time. The Grade 1 level means your ensemble doesn't need advanced reading skills or extended ranges to sound professional, and the Tower of Power repertoire attracts players who might otherwise feel disconnected from jazz.

• Establish the 128 BPM groove during the first four measures with your rhythm section (bass, drums, piano). Lock that feel early so the horns can layer in securely.
• Balance the tenor 1 solo feature so it sits clearly above the ensemble but never overrides the funk backbone. This is a conversational melody, not a showcase moment.
• Listen closely to the trumpet 1 line climbing to the written E top space. Breathe management matters here; make sure your lead trumpet player plots their air supply in advance.
• Keep the waltz feel ( 3/4 time) from feeling precious. This is a hip groove played in three, not a ballroom dance.

Schedule this early in the fall concert season when your ensemble is still building confidence but needs a win. It works beautifully in a jazz-focused program alongside swing standards, or as an opener that gets audiences engaged immediately. The accessible energy makes it ideal for pep rallies or casual performances where you want to showcase real musicianship without asking your students to play above their current level.

• Funk and soul groove fundamentals (straight-eighth feel against swing-based phrasing)
• Ensemble balance in three-part and four-part horn voicings
• Solo feature navigation (supporting a featured voice while maintaining section cohesion)
• Walking bass line execution and rhythm section lockdown
• Range management in the upper register (trumpet 1 to E space)