Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing/African Waltz - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

This interesting Mary Lou Williams arrangement was written in 1967 for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Duke never did play it, however. The tune was originally written in 1953 and recorded during a quartet date with Don Byas. Mary Lou later would adapt for chorus recording it in 1970 as Mary Lou's Mass. This arrangement moves between straight ahead swing and African Waltz. There is a solo section for tenor saxophone that may be opened up for additional solos. For the African Waltz section a sample drum pattern has been supplied by Ndugu Chancler as Mary Lou did not include one in her score. In addition, an optional guitar part has been supplied and piano voicings indicated by Mary Lou have been included. This is not a technically difficult arrangement and the ranges are moderate making this playable by less experienced bands and a great opportunity to expose musicians to Mary Lou Williams's style of writing.

Recording courtesy of the University of Miami Frost School of Music Superband.

 

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

Trumpet 1 to C#6
Trombone 1 to Bb5