Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Just an Old Manuscript was originally written in 1943 for the Casa Loma Orchestra led by Glen Gray. Don Redman disbanded his own ensemble in 1940 and free-lanced, writing for several bands from 1941-46, when he brought an ensemble to Europe. The Casa Loma Orchestra had been in operation since 1927 and it remained an excellent ensemble during the war years. Just an Old Manuscript was just one modern compositions that was commissioned for and performed by the ensemble.

The original recording for Decca in 1943 remains unissued and may still exist (the Decca masters were donated to the Library of Congress); however, a 1946 recording was issued at the time. Several airchecks and a radio transcription have also been in circulation. When Gray was asked to make Hi-Fi recordings for Capitol in 1956, Just an Old Manuscript was recorded yet again.

Redman submitted the piece to Count Basie in 1945 at which time it was recorded for transcription and V-Disc. Basie later recorded it in 1949 for RCA Victor, one of the rare times that a piece was in the Basie book for several years before it was recorded commercially.

This publication is not a transcription - it has been prepared from the original set of parts used during the 1945 and 1949 Count Basie recording sessions. On the original 1949 studio recording, there is a cut from measure 28 to measure 55. We have made a note of this on the score, but have included the entire chart if you wish to perform it in full.

 

 

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones (Trombone 4 Optional)
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: B5
Trombone 1: Ab4