Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal Soloist and Female Vocal Trio

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Reaching number 2 on the charts in 1944, this John Scott Trotter arrangement of Louis Jordan and Billy Austin's Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby) is a great example of why Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters were, and continue to be, an unstoppable combination. A growling trumpet kicks off the arrangement which leads to Bing's entrance for the first eight bars. The Andrews Sisters make their entrance for eight bars which then leads to a two bar interlude that jump starts the arrangment to double time. The remainder of the arrangement shifts back and forth between the male vocalist and the female vocal trio. The arrangement concludes at the original tempo with the band providing the final sendoff.

This publication is based on the original John Scott Trotter pencil score and set of parts that were used for the 1944 recording session with the exception of the female vocal trio parts, which were transcribed. Trotter's original arrangement called for alto saxophones 1 and 2 to double on clarinet and woodwind 3 to be playing alto saxophone throughout (with woodwind 4 on tenor saxophone and woodwind 5 on baritone saxophone). For this publication, we have moved the brief woodwind 2 clarinet part to woodwind 3 and have also included an optional alternate woodwind 3 part that is on tenor saxophone throughout (with the brief clarinet double). This same arrangement was used by Bing Crosby and studio singers on two ocassions for the Kraft Music Hall (November 9 and 30, 1944) with the addition of string players. These string parts are included but are optional.

Full Score
Solo Male Vocal
Female Vocal Trio [SAA]
Woodwind 1: Clarinet/Alto Saxophone
Woodwind 2: Alto Saxophone
Woodwind 3: Alto Saxophone/Clarinet (Or Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet - Alternate Part Provided)
Woodwind 4: Tenor Saxophone
Woodwind 5: Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
2 Violins (Optional)
Viola (Optional)
Cello (Optional)
Guitar
Piano
Acoustic Bass
Drums

Vocal Key: Gb modulating to Eb
Trumpet 1: A5
Trombone 1: Gb4