Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Frank Foster's delightfully catchy Lady in Lace was recorded twice by the Count Basie Orchestra. The first version, recorded in 1956 but released in 1959 on Hall of Fame, features the band by itself, while the 1978 version from Milt Jackson + Count Basie + The Big Band Vol. 1 features the aforementioned Jackson as vibraphone soloist.

Foster forsakes an introduction in favor of jumping right into the melody, which is played twice. The first time, the saxophones are in the spotlight, while the trombones get the main focus the second time. The backgrounds behind both melody statements are subtle and gentle, with the rhythm section swinging lightly but firmly underneath the whole time.

A few choruses of solos see the ensemble backgrounds gradually ramp up in intensity, culminating in a full-blast shout chorus at measure 81. Said shout is essentially a variation on the main, with some powerful brass parts that are sure to give your trumpet and trombone players a bit of a workout. The ending is a simple tag of the melody's final four bars, repeated three times and getting softer each time. One more sudden full ensemble blast precedes the warm final chord.

This publication is based off of Foster's score for the 1978 version featuring Milt Jackson. The 1978 version is almost identical to the 1956 original, with only some subtle changes in a few spots. We have opted to include cues for other soloists if you wish to perform the arrangement without a vibraphone soloist.

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

Trumpet 1: Eb6 (Optional Ab6)
Trombone 1: Bb4