Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Recorded in 1967 and released on the album For Once In My Life, the sweetly lilting atmosphere of Marion Evans's arrangement of Sometimes I'm Happy serves as a perfect setting for Tony Bennett's mellow tenor. The tricky woodwind doubling and intricate string writing will provide a challenge to your ensemble, but the musical payoff is well worth the effort.

Evans wisely keeps the brass section in cup mutes for the entire arrangement to avoid overwhelming the flittering woodwind/celeste/glockenspiel melody that kicks things off. While Bennett's vocals are the obvious star during the first melody statement, the instrumental combo shouldn't shy away from acting as a complementary, rather than purely supportive, role. The rhythm section's gait should be a steady, easy-going swing feel at all times.

After sitting out for most of Bennett's melody, the brass section gets a chance to shine at measure 39, where they key modulates up a whole step. Although the writing hangs in the mid-upper register, the cup mutes once again prevent the sound from getting too harsh. Bennett doesn't stay gone for long, returing at measure 47 and maintaining the spotlight for the rest of the way. A lovely flute and violin line at measure 62 marks the beginning of a gradual winding down, ultimately culminating in a rich brass chord atop a gently strumming harp for the conclusion of the performance.

This publication was prepared using Marion Evans's original pencil score - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Vocal
3 Flutes
2 Clarinets
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
2 Violins (16 Players Recommended)
Viola (4 Players Recommended)
Cello (4 Players Recommended)
Harp
Guitar
Celeste
Bass
Percussion: Glockenspiel/Vibraphone
Drum Set

Vocal Key: Eb modulating to F
Trumpet 1: D6
Trombone 1: Bb4