Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

In the big band world, there are few bands that have as distinct a musical identity as the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band. Bob Brookmeyer's 1960 arrangement of the Rodgers and Hart classic You Took Advantage of Me does indeed take advantage of the band's unique qualities, creating a light atmosphere that at times creates the illusion of a small combo.

Mulligan establishes the melody by playing its first strain a capella, which frees up Brookmeyer to take some liberties with the tune's remainder. The main line largely sticks in the brass, be it the section as a whole or Brookmeyer by himself (with light repartee from Mulligan) at measure 25. Keep an eye out for the several abrupt dynamic shifts that pop up throughout the melody. A short pedal and series of stop-time hits launch Brookmeyer into a two chorus long improvised solo, with some riffing ensemble backgrounds coming in for his second pass through the form.

Once Brookmeyer wraps up, there's an abrupt key change and short ensemble shout before Mulligan gets a pair of choruses of his own. These choruses are structured in a similar fashion as Brookmeyer's - stop-time hits to kick things off, then some effective riffing for backgrounds. Another quick key change occurs for the half-chorus ensemble shout section at measure 171, which should be driving but not excessively loud. A walking bass solo, accompanied by some antics from Mulligan and Brookmeyer, lead the band back to the original key, culminating with a brief tag before wrapping things up in clean, crisp fashion.

This publication was prepared using the original parts from the 1960 recording session - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
2 Alto Saxophones
Tenor Saxophone
2 Baritone Saxophones
3 Trumpets
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Bass
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: F6
Trombone 1: C5