Edition: Jazz Studio Ensemble Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

The song That Certain Feeling was written by George and Ira Gershwin for a 1925 musical titled Tip-Toes. This version was arranged by Nelson Riddle for Ella Fitzgerald's 1959 album set 'Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook.'

The arrangement features five woodwinds, all with doubles including alto flute, flute, clarinet, English horn, and bass clarinet (see the 'contents' tab for complete info on doubles). There are also the standard 4 trombones and rhythm section, but only one trumpet. The introduction features four of the woodwinds (on alto flute, flute, and English horn) with the trombones providing some very quiet punches in the background. A familiar-sounding descending eighth note phrase sets up the vocal, which enters at measure 9. Throughout most of the vocal section the trombones provide a response to the singer. At the conclusion of the vocal melody, there is a 16-measure instrumental interlude in which Riddle brings back material from the introduction and pairs it with rhythmic variations of the melody. The vocal re-enters and Riddle changes up the backgrounds so that sometimes we have the woodwinds (now on saxophones) providing the response and other times it falls on the trombones. As the arrangement concludes there is a bluesy riff played by the trombones (and baritone saxophone) that leads us to one of Riddle's most well-known devices: the bass trombone providing a solo riff. This time, however, the final say belongs to the acoustic bass.

This publication was prepared using Nelson Riddle's original pencil score - this is not a transcription. The vocal key is Bb throughout. 

 

 

Full Score
Vocal
Woodwind 1: Alto Flute/Alto Saxophone/Flute
Woodwind 2: Flute/Alto Saxophone
Woodwind 3: Flute/Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 4: English Horn/Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 5: Bass Clarinet/Baritone Saxophone
1 Trumpet
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Guitar
Piano
Vibraphone
Drum Set

Vocal Key: Bb