Edition: Jazz Nonet Arrangement

Description: Ballad - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Arguably one of Duke Pearson's best known composition, "You Know I Care" has become one of the most iconic jazz ballads of the 1960s. The piece is perhaps best known for being covered by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson on his classic album "Inner Urge," but it has also been recorded over the years by such notables as Art Farmer, Eddie Henderson and Tubby Hayes.

This arrangement, recorded on Pearson's 1965 album "Honeybuns," begins with a brief rubato solo piano introduction. Pearson's voicings have been transcribed from the original recording, but chord changes are included to allow your pianist to apply their own personal touch. The time should be set up starting in measure 3 in order to give the ensemble a sense of where the tempo should be.

The melody comes in at measure 5, carried throughout by the husky middle register sound of Les Spann's flute, which only adds to the delicate beauty of the tune. Underpinning this melody are without a doubt some of the warmest horn harmonies ever written by a jazz composer. The gentle rhythmic pulse of the pedal in the bass starting at measure 15 implies the subtlest hint of double time without disrupting the overall hushed nature of the arrangement. Be sure to take note of the slight dynamic swell at measures 21 and 22, as this is one of the only times when the arrangement rises above a whisper in terms of volume. Pearson plays nearly a full chorus of an improvised solo starting at measure 31, with some subdued horn backgrounds coming in at measure 41 before Spann's flute returns to play the final section of the melody beginning at measure 49. The piece ends with a gradual tapering off of both tempo and volume, with Spann playing a brief cadenza over the final moody chord.

All in all, this is a fairly simple arrangement, but with a melody as lovely as this one, there's not much arranging that needs to be done in the first place. Although Pearson does not play during the ensemble portions on the original recording, the horn voicings have been transcribed, along with chord changes, for your pianist in case they would like to accompany the melody.

The transcription has been done for the band's original instrumentation of trumpet, flute, alto, tenor, baritone, trombone, piano, bass and drums. An optional guitar part has also been included. We sincerely hope you enjoy playing this tune as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you!

Full Score
Flute
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Guitar (Optional)
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet: B4