Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

You Got It is the first track from "Long Live the Chief," the first album by the Count Basie Orchestra following Basie's passing in 1984. Longtime star tenor saxophonist/arranger Frank Foster had returned to direct the band, and this arrangement of his, a briskly paced Bb blues, was a perfect way to kick off the next phase of the Basie Orchestra's life while continuing on in the spirit of its legendary namesake.

Appropriately enough, things begin with a few choruses of piano up front before the band comes roaring in at measure 14 with a simple but highly energetic riff. The melody is played twice, handled by the saxophones the first time and the trumpets the second, and utilizing some classic call-and-response figures in the trombones as backgrounds. The saxes take the spotlight for themselves beginning at measure 46 for a two chorus soli that features a nice mix of repetitive rhythmic ideas and more sustained linear inventions. The arrangement takes on a more soloist-focused bent beginning at measure 70 with trumpet kicking things off, followed by flute at measure 101, trombone at measure 119, and piano at measure 144. Some exciting but not overly invasive ensemble figures provide some occasional breaks in the action at various points during this section.

Following the solos, in typical Basie fashion, the volume of the arrangement drops to a near-whisper for the ensemble soli at measure 157. As the choruses continue, the ensemble slowly but gradually builds until finally laying into things at full strength for two choruses at measure 181. A tenor sax solo comes in at this time, as well; your soloist should be aware of what the ensemble is doing in order to be able to adequately fill in the gaps. Eventually, the ensemble drops out for a four measure tenor sax break before coming in with one last dissonant blast with a continued cadenza from the soloist to bring things to an appropriately exciting close.

 

This publication was based on Frank Foster's original score and the set of parts used during the 1986 recording session - this is not a transcription.

 

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

Trumpet 1: Eb6
Trombone 1: Bb4