My Groove, Your Move

Alfred Pub. / Belwin Jazz ~ NEW April 2021

MY GROOVE, YOUR MOVE
Conductor Notes

My Groove, Your Move is a Hank Mobley composition and was recorded on his 1961 “Roll Call” album. The form of this tune is a 12 measure minor blues repeated with an 8 bar bridge. The bridge functions almost like a “send off” to a solo section in a traditional big band chart. Trumpet and tenor sax take the initial melody with the rhythm section giving a “two feel” where they generally play on beats 1 and 3 to give a sense of playing at half time. When the saxes take the second chorus the rhythm section kicks into a “four feel” and drives the band with a solid swing feel. It has been my experience with younger players that the “two feel” may tend to drag and when they go into a “four feel” the tempo may tend to pick up.

At measure 29 the full ensemble plays the bridge leading the band into a sax soli before heading into an open solo section. There are suggested solos for tenor sax, trumpet and trombone but additional solos can be added. The optional backgrounds can be omitted or assigned at the director’s discretion. Following the solo section, the alto and tenor saxes play the melody in unison with the brass punctuating behind them. The full ensemble comes back with the bridge and takes the chart to the end.

The chord changes to this tune are very accessible for young students and this is an excellent opportunity to introduce them to a minor blues. Although this chart could be performed at a quicker tempo than mm = 132, I would recommend staying with the tempo as indicated to maintain the “groove” of the tune, especially with younger players.

One of my missions as an educator and an arranger is to expose students of all ages to the classic jazz repertoire and the legends of jazz that create this music. Hank Mobley would be considered by many as one of these legends.

I hope you enjoy the chart!

Terry White