Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Ballad - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Quincy Jones' Evening in Paris has had several different interpretations dating back as early as 1954, but they all share in common a sense of mystery and allure that encapsulates the French capital city marvelously. This version was arranged by Billy Byers and was recorded live at the Newport Jazz Festival for the 1961 album Quincy Jones and His Orchestra Live at Newport.

The arrangement's complex introduction sets the tone for the rest of the performance, which features a great amount of intricate, interweaving ensemble writing. A descending flute and piano line leads into a melancholy French horn solo before alto saxophonist Phil Woods takes up the main melody at measure 5. The alto saxophone soloist is featured for nearly the entirety of the rest of the performance, with the ensemble accompaniment ranging from eerily hushed to stunningly powerful.

Played mostly as a slowly-paced ballad, a double time feel sets in once the first melody chorus is over at measure 37. The horn backgrounds are largely sustained tones, creating a clever suspended feeling atop the more briskly-paced rhythm section. Once the double time feel ends at measure 53, the arrangement is largely copied from before, with an extended version of the intro used as a fitting conclusion.

An optional flugelhorn part is included as an alternate for horn in F.

This publication was prepared using Billy Byers' original score - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Alto Saxophone Soloist
Flute
Alto Saxophone
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
Horn in F (or Flugelhorn)
4 Trombones
Guitar (Optional)
Piano
Bass
Drum Set
Flugelhorn (Optional Alternate Part for Horn in F)

Trumpet 1: F6
Trombone 1: Bb4