Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Although written a few years before his biggest successes writing for film and television, at times this Neal Hefti arrangement (written for Harry James' 1961 album 'Harry James Plays Neal Hefti') strongly hints at the direction Hefti's musical career was about to take.

The medium tempo feel of this arrangement is immediately established after a brief solo trumpet break, and continues throughout. The entire feeling of this arrangement should be almost Basie-esque in terms of relaxation without dragging, and the volume almost never exceeds a medium level. The melody, despite its unusual 18 bar form, is exceedingly catchy and memorable. This melody is played twice; the first time through, it's just the band, but the second time through features some slightly improvised interjections from the solo trumpet.

An ensemble interlude occurs at measure 22, where the brass play a unison descending line to set up a mildly sinister sax riff. A brief trumpet solo break sets up the melody's return at measure 34, complete with continued solo spurts from James to fill in the gaps. The arrangement reaches its peak volume for the grand finale at measure 52, where the brass once again play a descending line, followed by one quick ensemble blast that leads into a subdued final chord and hit in the baritone sax, third trombone and bass.

This arrangement is for jazz big band with trumpet soloist. There are only three trombone parts as opposed to the usual four. This arrangement is not a transcription - it has been prepared from Hefti's original score and the set of parts used during the 1961 recording session.

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

Solo Trumpet: G5
Trumpet 1: C6