Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

The lead-off track from 1963's 'Ella and Basie,' this Quincy Jones arrangement of Thomas 'Fats' Waller's classic composition 'Honeysuckle Rose' is an absolute tour de force for both the incomparable vocals of Ella Fitzgerald and the peerless orchestra of Count Basie.

Even the introductory 8 measures of the arrangement, which starts out with just vocals and bass, has a trick up its sleeve via Jones's brief re-harmonization of the melody and chord progression in bars 2 and 3. A muted trumpet solo (played on the original recording by Joe Newman) joins the fun at measure 7, followed by the drums at measure 9 and finally the piano and guitar at measure 15. The volume level should be kept low not only to not overwhelm the vocalist, but to allow the entire band's introductory hit at measure 22 to come out of seemingly nowhere.

The band kicks into a classic Basie-style riff at measure 25 for the final A section of the melody. A brief ensemble shout at measure 33 sets up a Fitzgerald scat solo that initially allows for some playful jousting between vocals and muted trumpet before the spotlight shines solely on Fitzgerald.

A dramatic drop in volume for a saxophone and muted trombone ensemble section occurs at measure 65. Despite this drop in volume, the intensity and hard swing should remain. Measure 75 sees Fitzgerald return to scatting, this time as a compliment to a Basie piano solo. The full band re-enters for some background shouting at measure 83, first behind Fitzgerald's continued scatting, then behind Fitzgerald re-taking the reigns of the bridge of the melody. The arrangement's conclusion, beginning at measure 107, features Fitzgerald singing an altered melody line that leads to the band's triumphant (and mildly dissonant) final fanfare.

This arrangement is for female vocal soloist with jazz big band. This is not a transcription - it has been prepared from Quincy Jones' original score and the set of parts used during the recording session. The vocal key is Db and there are no saxophone doubles.

 

Full Score
Vocal
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Vocal Key: Db
Trumpet 1: F6
Trombone 1: Db5