Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

In 1964 Ella Fitzgerald went back into the studio to further her songbook series by recording songs written by Johnny Mercer. Supported by Nelson Riddle’s arrangements, this session featured a slightly different ensemble: this time the big band was augmented by 2 flutes, oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, and 3 horns in F. The story goes that Norman Granz was concerned about the budget and refused to hire string players. Thus, Riddle saved some money and hired some additional woodwind players and probably relied on overdubs to complete the mix. This publication presents an adaptation made by Riddle most likely for Ella’s touring book. The original set of woodwind parts is now presumed lost; in their place (in Ella’s library) was a set of string parts. This adapted studio orchestra arrangement (big band plus strings) would easily fit into a live program of similar arrangements already found in her library.

Matching the upbeat nature of the Johnny Mercer tune, Nelson Riddle crafted a lively arrangement that largely showcases the big band and puts only a small spotlight on the string (originally woodwind) parts. In fact, the arrangement would sound just fine without those string parts. There are sections of the string parts that are marked as optional. Those sections were written by Riddle (originally for woodwinds) but not played on the 1964 recording. For history’s sake, they are included in this publication and may be played at the discretion of the conductor. The xylophone part played during the introduction is cued in the piano part in the event that a xylophone player is not available.

This publication was prepared from an adapted set of parts that Nelson Riddle created after the 1964 recording session - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
Vocal
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
3 Violins
Viola
Cello (2 parts)
Harp
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Percussion (Xylophone/Timpani)
Drums
Synthesizer (Alternate Part for Strings)

Vocal Key: Ab
Trumpet 1: F6
Trombone 1: Cb4