Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

This arrangement was written by Billy Strayhorn (originally titled Mynah) is a tribute to a mynah bird that often visited his room while the band was in India. Jimmy Hamilton's clarinet evokes the sound and spirit of the bird, with Hamilton mimicking the “pretty lick” (in Ellington’s words) that the bird used to sing. This is a clarinet feature, written to showcase Jimmy Hamilton.

While on tour in Europe during that year Ellington introduced several pieces as Impressions of the Far East. At that time the Suite consisted of Amad, Agra, Bluebird of Delhi, and Depk. Agra and Bluebird of Delhi were written by Strayhorn and Amad and Depk were written by Ellington. As the notion for a full-length suite began to take shape several more pieces were composed: Ad Lib on Nippon and A Tourist Point of View, both composed by Ellington, and Mount Harissa and Blue Pepper, possibly composed by both Ellington and Strayhorn (scores have not been located for these two movements; hence, authorship is in question). Isfahan was recorded on December 20, 1966 to be included in the Far East Suite.

This publication is based on the original set of parts, Billy Strayhorn's handwritten sketch score, an engraved copyright deposit sketch score, and the 1966 studio recording.

 

 

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
Clarinet
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass
Drums