Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Written for the Benny Carter Orchestra in 1946 by Neal Hefti, this arrangement of Who's Sorry Now displays strong influences from the at-the-time burgeoning bebop movement. Its inviting medium swing tempo manages to cover up a liberal smattering of more advanced harmonies and rhythms, which will make it a fun experience for musicians and listeners alike.

Kicking off with an introduction that combines bombastic, dissonant brass with fluttering, punctuated woodwinds, things eventually settle down a bit for Carter's entrance with the melody at measure 9. The saxes and rhythm section serve as sole accompaniment, with the saxes getting some surprise double-time figures to provide a nice twist to the proceedings.

An interlude largely consisting of a brass fanfare sets the tone for a key change at measure 49. The next chorus consists mostly of a tenor sax solo, with a brief punchy interlude in the middle to break things up. A brass-heavy shout section commences at measure 81 for half a chorus, followed by a brief solo that is indicated in the original score as being for Carter, but is actually played by guitar on the recording. A unison brass line atop chromatically descending saxes and rhythm section pleasantly leads the chart to a mellow conclusion.

A note: in Hefti's original manuscript, Carter's solo part features him on trumpet for the melody before switching to alto sax for the remainder of the performance. Included are two versions of this solo part, one for trumpet and one for alto sax, to allow you to feature whichever instrument you would prefer.

This publication was prepared using Neal Hefti's original pencil score - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Alto Saxophone Soloist (or Trumpet Soloist)
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums

Trumpet 1: Db6
Trombone 1: B4