Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

 

New edition for 2018!

 

Recorded on the 1955 album "The Band of Distinction," Frank Foster's "Down For The Count" showcases many of the standard tropes that would come to define his writing for the Count Basie Orchestra - extensive manipulation of the otherwise standard blues form, a simple but invariably catchy riff based melody, and a brilliant ensemble shout section (actually two, in this chart's case).

The brass-heavy 8 bar introduction that Foster wrote was not played on the original recording for unknown reasons, replaced instead by a blues chorus of Basie piano. The original introduction has been included here should you wish to play it. The melody proper begins at measure 9 and is played at a moderate volume level before Basie takes the spotlight for another blues chorus at measure 21.

The first of the two primary ensemble shouts begins at measure 33, with saxophones and trombones trading some punchy phrases back and forth between one another. The trumpets come in at measure 44, with the saxophones stealing the trombones' riff away from them, leaving the trombones to join in with the trumpets instead.

The band finally comes together at measure 57 for a powerful soli chorus before the volume tapers off to lead into a chorus of trumpeter Joe Newman (trumpet 2) and Basie trading riffs at measure 69. The piano drops out to leave Newman to his own devices for a chorus at measure 81. This is followed by two choruses of Benny Powell (trombone 2) at measure 93, with the saxophones re-stating the melody as a background figure.

The second full band shout commences after the end of the trombone solo at measure 106. In typical Foster fashion, the first chorus is largely played at a volume level barely above a whisper, building slowly but intensely until everything boils over at measure 118. The different sections drop out one by one as the end of the form is tagged at measure 126, eventually leaving Basie to himself for a brief moment before the final held chord, beginning first in the saxophones before the brass enter at full strength.

This arrangement is for jazz big band. It is not a transcription - it has been prepared from the set of parts that Frank Foster had in his library.

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

Trumpet 1: Db6
Trombone 1: Cb5