Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Although he is best known for his work with Frank Sinatra, arranger Nelson Riddle produced some of his most creative charts for his collaborations with Ella Fitzgerald. This arrangement, from the 1962 album 'Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson,' is a wonderful example of Riddle's non-Sinatra writing.

The arrangement begins with an unusual 5 bar introduction before the vocalist enters with the melody. There is a dramatic swell in dynamics that builds as more instruments join the ensemble. This motif comes up several times throughout the arrangement, and should be observed accordingly. The general rule is that the ensemble is fairly subdued when the trumpets are not playing, but fairly powerful when they are.

Riddle's arrangement is crafted in a way that it weaves itself in and around the melody in a number of creative ways. For example, the first two measures of the melody's A section are always written as a solo break for the vocalist (examples of this happen at measures 6, 14, 30 and 62). It is important for the ensemble to count during these passages so as not to jump in too soon and cover up the vocalist.

The ensemble takes over for a shout section beginning at measure 38. This section begins with the saxophones with a brief interjection from the unmistakable trumpet of Harry "Sweets" Edison, but the full brass section joins in on the fun beginning at measure 46. The vocalist re-enters at measure 54 with some recycled ensemble figures that ultimately lead up to a powerful 2 measure ensemble figure at measure 72 that brings the proceedings to a close.

This arrangement is written for jazz big band with featured vocal soloist. There are no saxophone doubles. This is not a transcription - this arrangement has been prepared from the original set of parts used during the recording session.

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

Vocal Key: Bb
Trumpet 1: E6
Trombone 1: Db5