Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Helen O'Connell initially recorded this Marion Evans arrangement of Blue (and Broken Hearted) at some point in the winter of 1957/1958, but it was not released until 1962 on her album Here's Helen. Evans's writing runs the entire gamut of ensemble dynamics, from whisper-soft lows to towering highs, all while maintaining a perfect balance between accessible listening and inventive musicianship.

O'Connell sings the song's verse with nothing but piano accompaniment, eventually being joined by the rest of the rhythm section and a choir of clarinets when the melody begins at measure 17. The clarinet writing is intricate, but not overbearing, and should be played with a gentle, smooth approach. Alternate saxophone parts are included so that this arrangement may be played without the clarinet doubles. At the end of the melody, a suddenly loud appearance from the brass sets up a key change going into the next chorus.

At this point, the band gets to shine for a bit, with boisterous brass and twirling saxes engaging in some delightful interplay before yielding the spotlight to an eight measure trombone solo. O'Connell returns for the second half of the tune at measure 65, with the brass playing some bugle-call-style backgrounds in the melody's gaps. The volume level briefly drops at measure 73, but doesn't stay down low for too long, with more brass fanfares contrasting with some simpler figures in the saxes. Eventually, the whole band comes together in joyous unison for the performance's conclusion.

This publication was based on Marion Evans's original pencil score - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Vocal
Woodwind 1: Clarinet/Alto Saxophone
Woodwind 2: Clarinet/Alto Saxophone
Woodwind 3: Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone
Woodwind 4: Bass Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone
Woodwind 5: Bass Clarinet/Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set
Alternate Woodwind 1: Alto Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 2: Alto Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 3: Tenor Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 4: Tenor Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 5: Baritone Saxophone

Vocal Key: F Modulating to Gb
Trumpet 1: Eb6
Trombone 1: Cb5
Trombone 2: Bb4