Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Here is one of the most famous arrangements (and recordings) in pop music history. Nat 'King' Cole's 1951 recording of the Irving Gordon song Unforgettable (arrangement by Nelson Riddle) was a huge hit for the pianist/singer. Cole's daughter Natalie edited and re-mixed the song in 1991 to include her own vocals. This loving tribute to her dad became a worldwide hit. In the year 2000 the original Nat Cole recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The recorded version of the arrangement begins with a George Shearing style intro featuring guitar, piano, and celeste. The original Riddle pencil score (dated August 15, 1951) featured a 6-bar, very mysterious sounding introduction. A facsimile of this page of the score is included in the forward to our publication. However, the recorded intro has been fully transcribed.

After one chorus of vocal the arrangement modulates to the key of Gb for a 16-bar instrumental interlude. For this section, Riddle had fully written out the piano voicings, which have been included. The vocal re-enters as the arrangement shifts back to the original key of Bb.

This publication has been prepared using the original Nelson Riddle pencil score with the exception of the introduction which was transcribed from the 1951 recording.

Due to the historic nature of the arrangement this is a must-have for every serious music library!

 

 

Full Score
Vocal
2 Violins
Viola
Cello
Harp
Guitar
Celeste
Piano
Bass
Drums

Vocal Key: Bb