Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

This Nelson Riddle arrangement for Ella Fitzgerald of Harry Warren and Al Dubin's 'Sweet and Slow' serves as the opening track from their 1962 album 'Ella Swings Gently with Nelson.' Despite the album title, this arrangement contains several moments that can hardly be called gentle; frankly, the entire arrangement has an underlying intensity to it that allows it to serve as a great opener in general.

The introduction is fairly simple, with a pedaled F in the bass underpinning some punctuated jabs passed back and forth between the woodwinds and muted brass. The horn jabs continue underneath the vocalist's entrance at measure 9, with the strings entering to provide some more sustained backgrounds at measure 17. This approach to the backgrounds is largely maintained throughout the melody, with occasional solo fills under the vocalist from the tenor saxophone and muted trumpet adding some impromptu flair to the proceedings.

The natural tension of the harmonic progression of the melody is resolved for the brass to kick into high gear for the shout section pickup at measure 39. This shout is a bit unusual for Riddle, as it is a bit more soloist-oriented than what was typical for his arrangements for vocalists during this time period. First up is an alto saxophone solo from measure 41 to 48, followed by a muted trumpet from measure 49 to 56. The ensemble during this portion should have a relentless drive and energy to it; the tempo may not be all that fast, but the intensity of the original performance almost creates the illusion of a faster pace.

The volume level tapers back down for the vocalist's re-entry at measure 57, complete with some recycled backgrounds from earlier in the chart. These backgrounds continue through the rest of the melody and are tagged at the end beginning in measure 73. The volume level continues to decay until all that is left of the ensemble is the vocalist's final melody note being held over a typically Riddle descending bass line solo. This arrangement is for studio orchestra with vocal soloist. It is not a transcription - it has been prepared from Nelson Riddle's original pencil score and the set of parts used during the 1962 recording session. The vocal key is F.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones (Both Double Flute)
2 Tenor Saxophones (Both Double Flute)
Baritone Saxophone (Doubles Clarinet)
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
3 Violins
Viola
3 Celli
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Xylophone
Drums

Vocal Key: F
Trumpet 1: Eb6
Trombone 1: Bb5