Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

This Nelson Riddle arrangement from the 1964 album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Songbook could be used in arranging textbooks as a perfect example of simple-yet-effective. Although the proceedings are straightforward and without any unexpected twists, this chart serves as a lovely framework for Fitzgerald's incomparable vocal skills.

A mysterious introduction featuring brief interjections by trumpet, alto sax, and tenor sax gives way to the vocal entrance accompanied by a light swing feel. There are the familiar Riddle touches with the sax section backgrounds to the vocal. The ensemble builds to the bridge; however, where you'd normally find Riddle bringing out the strings for the added drama he has woodwinds to do the job.

After the last vocal A section there is an 8-bar trombone solo featuring a very familiar background riff that Riddle has employed many times in the past. The vocal re-enters on the bridge for re-cap material before concluding the arrangement with a chromatic descending line played by the woodwinds and horns.

This arrangement is for female vocal soloist and studio orchestra. In lieu of the typical string ensemble, this time the big band is augmented by 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, and 3 horns in F instead of the typical strings. The story goes that Norman Granz was concerned about the budget and refused to hire string players. Thus, Riddle saved some money and hired some additional woodwind players and probably relied on overdubs to complete the mix. This publication is presented as-written by Riddle but also included are optional string parts that may be used in place of - or in addition to - the woodwind and French horn parts. An optional synthesizer part is also included that may be used in place of the string parts so this arrangement may be played by a standard big band with a synthesizer player. The vocal key is Bb.

This publication has been prepared from Riddle's original pencil score and the the original set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Vocal
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets
2 Bassoons
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Horns in F
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Harp
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums
3 Violins (Optional Alternate Parts)
Viola (Optional Alternate Parts)
3 Celli (Optional Alternate Parts)

Vocal key: Bb
Trumpet 1: D5