Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Advanced

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Organist/arranger Bill Doggett was best known for his pioneering work in the field of R&B, but was no stranger to the world of jazz. His arrangement of the old warhorse After You've Gone was written for vocalist Ella Fitzgerald's 1962 album Rhythm Is My Business, and is a high energy tour-de-force for both singer and band from start to finish. Ella revisited this arrangement for her 1979 live appearance at Montreux, Switzerland with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Starting off in a slow swing feel, the brass section comes in roaring atop some bebop-infused lines from the saxes to set the stage for Fitzgerald's first melody statement at measure 9. The saxes continue to play double-time figures, providing a subtle hint at the drastic up-swing in tempo at measure 27. Fitzgerald sings through the melody once more, this time with the rest of the horns' accompaniment matching the saxes in intricacy while never quite stepping over the line into becoming overwhelming.

Once the second melody statement is done, Fitzgerald and the band trade barbs with each other for the next couple choruses, beginning at measure 71. The energy level continues to push to greater and greater heights until the tempo suddenly craters at measure 147. At this point, Fitzgerald sings an extended tag with some customized lyrics before the whole band comes in with one final, triumphant blast.

For her 1979 performance of this arrangement she removed the melody in favor of scatting during the section where she trades with the band. We have marked these sections in the vocal part, along with providing chord changes, should your singer wish to do this as well.

This publication was prepared from Bill Doggett's pencil score and the set of parts used for the 1962 recording session - this is not a transcription. The vocal key is Bb.

Full Score
Vocal
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Vocal Key: Bb
Trumpet 1: G6
Trumpet 2: D#6
Trombone 1: Db5