Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrnagement

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Background:
Tadd Dameron was one of the most influential composer/arrangers in American music. Born in 1917, he wrote for bands led by Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Billy Eckstine (many original compositions later performed by the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra were originally written for Eckstine), Ted Heath and Tommy Dorsey. He also arranged for Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Bailey and the underrated Kay Penton. Dameron led various groups for live gigs and recordings, and the musicians he played with constituted a who’s who of jazz. At one time or another his ensembles included Fats Navarro, Freddie Webster, Charlie Rouse, Kenny Clarke, Kai Winding, Wardell Gray, J.J. Johnson, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, John Coltrane and Clifford Brown.

The Music:
This arrangement of the Isham Jones/Gus Kahn standard was most likely written in 1942 as at that time Tadd Dameron was writing for the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra. The arrangement was never recorded, but, due to the wear on the parts, it was clearly performed live on numerous occasions. It is not entirely clear as to why the arrangement wasn't recorded, though it is possible that the reason is that it was written during the recording ban. The next time the Lunceford ensemble would be in the studio for a recording date wasn't until February 1944 - almost two years after this arrangement was most likely written.

Dameron crafted a swinging, interesting take on the standard. The trombone section states the melody for the first chorus with nice ensemble hits and backgrounds. The arrangement moves through three key centers: G, Eb, and Gb. While there are no lengthy solos (tenor sax has a 4-bar cameo solo), there is a great 1/2 chorus saxophone soli. This arrangement should appeal to medium level groups as the ranges are modest.

Ranges:

• Trumpet 1: to C6
• Trombone 1: to Bb4

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