Edition: Jazz Octet Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium Easy

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

One of the oldest standards in the jazz canon, Manny Albam's Basie-tinged arrangement of Sometimes I'm Happy for Joe Newman is a lovely, mellow setting for the trumpeter's naturally easygoing approach. Its lower difficulty makes it a great option for less experienced musicians while still managing to be musically satisfying for more advanced players. This arrangement was recorded for the 1955 album I'm Still Swinging.

The entire form of the tune is played through twice, with the first chorus unsurprisingly being devoted to the melody. Said melody is swapped back and forth every eight measures between the horn section (led by Newman) and piano (handled by Dick Katz). The volume level is subdued at all times, and all horn articulations should be played quite delicately. Once the melody is done, Newman plays a half-chorus improvised solo with some easygoing backgrounds, followed by 8 bars of Al Cohn's tenor sax with no backgrounds. A miniature shout chorus serves as the performance's final stretch. The last tag is the only part of the arrangement that should exceed a soft dynamic level, and has an appropriately climactic impact for players and listeners alike.

This publication was prepared using the original set of parts from the 1955 recording - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: B5
Trombone 1: A4