Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

The combination of Nat 'King' Cole's unforgettable voice and Nelson Riddle's masterful arranging make their version of 'Thou Swell' arguably the definitive jazz interpretation of the old classic. Recorded live at the famed Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1960, this arrangement can serve equally well as an opener, closer, or mid-performance interlude.

Taken at a brisk pace, the performance ultimately is a fairly short one, but manages to get everything it needs into its minimal run time. A fanfare in the horns over a churning rhythm section gets the excitement started before Cole enters at measure 9. His performance is crisp and clear, lending an unmistakable air of dignity to the tune's otherwise silly, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The melody has plenty of gaps built into it, which are filled in deftly and tastefully by the horns.

The second melody statement sees Cole engaging in some back-and-forth with the band at first, with the intensity noticeably ramped up from measure 41 through the rest of the performance. The horn backgrounds are similar, but not identical to, the first melody's figures. The arrangement ultimately comes to a close in typical Riddle fashion - a short tag at the end of the melody, followed by a simple but engaging and energetic riff that offers a sharp, clean finish to the festivities.

This publication was prepared using the original Nelson Riddle pencil score and the set of parts used for the performance - this is not a transcription. Please note that this arrangement has only 3 trumpet parts.

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

Vocal Key: Db
Trumpets 1-2: D6
Trombone 1: C5