Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Ballad - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Ella Fitzgerald's performance of Laura is one of the highlights from her 1964 albums Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book. Her final collaboration with Nelson Riddle on the Verve label serves as a stunning conclusion to their fruitful musical camaraderie.

The arrangement's introduction is highly unusual by both Fitzgerald's and Riddle's standards, with an ominously dissonant ostinato carried out by the woodwinds and strings underneath a contemplative trombone solo. Surprisingly, this ostinato continues once Fitzgerald enters at measure 5, but in this context it comes off in a surprisingly much less sinister manner. Most of the rest of the ensemble accompaniment during the melody is fairly subtle, but the ostinato sneaks its way back in once again for good measure halfway through.

A chorale of trombones and horns take center stage for the melody’s re-statement at measure 37, with some gentle responses from the strings and woodwinds to create a sublimely lush texture. The trumpets take over eight measures later, with a dramatic crescendo and drop off that brings Fitzgerald back out front for the finale. The ending at measure 67 seems to be a recap of the introduction, but it ultimately culminates in an ascending trombone line that resolves the harmonic tension beautifully.

This publication was based on Nelson Riddle's original pencil score and the set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription. In addition, the optional string parts were created by Nelson Riddle for Ella to use during live performances.

 

Full Score
Vocal
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clainets
2 Bassoons
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Horns in F
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Harp
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Vibraphone
Drums
2 Violins (Optional)
Viola (Optional)
2 Celli (Optional)

Vocal Key: G
Trumpet 1: C6
Trombone 1: B4