Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Ella Fitzgerald's timeless vocals are accompanied by a simple but effective Paul Weston arrangement to make this version of Irving Berlin's The Song is Ended a lovely showcase for your band's vocalist. Recorded in 1958 for the Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book, this arrangement has a slightly taxing lead trumpet and trombone part, but is otherwise fairly easy to play.

There's no need for an introduction - Fitzgerald picks up the melody right from the word "go," with the band playing a couple of quick blasts that relax into a mellow medium tempo shortly after. The backgrounds behind the melody alternate back and forth between smooth saxophones and edgy brass, both sets equally supportive of the vocals. The end of the form is extended for a Jimmie Lunceford-inspired two-beat feel in the rhythm section under a heavily staccato brass section.

Following this tag, Fitzgerald gets an A section to scat with sax backgrounds that bear more than a resemblance to the arranging style of Billy May. Fitzgerald returns to the melody at measure 48, with the ensemble falling into their previous accompaniment roles behind her. The Lunceford-style brass soli returns once more at the end of the melody, with Fitzgerald singing a brief unaccompanied riff before a few quick ensemble hits bring things to a close.

This publication was based on the original set of parts used for the 1958 recording session - this is not a transcription. The vocal key is Bb and there are no saxophone doubles. An optional piano solo is indicated in the event your vocalist does not scat sing.

Full Score
Vocal
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Vocal Key: Bb
Trumpet 1: E6
Trombone 1: C5