Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

John La Barbera offers up a warmly gentle take on the classic holiday chestnut Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Written for the Glenn Miller Orchestra's 1988 album In the Christmas Mood, it's primarily a vehicle for your vocalist, but your lead trumpeter and trombonist will have a few moments to shine as well.

Beginning with a clarinet chorale, the main melody enters in the form of a trumpet solo at measure 11, with the woodwinds taking over for the second part. A short trombone melody leads into an extended tag that sets up a key change for the vocalist's entrance at measure 33. The accompaniment shifts around the ensemble, and is somewhat intricate while never overwhelming the star attraction. After a gradual dip in tempo, the performance comes to a simple but effective conclusion with some warm brass chords and a quick ascending line in the woodwinds.

This publication was prepared from the original set of parts used for the recording session - this is not a transcription.

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

Vocal Key: Bb
Trumpet 1: B5
Trombone 1: A4