Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Tango/Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Amapola became associated with Helen O'Connell due to a hit 1941 version she recorded with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. She would go on to revisit it for her 1957 album Green Eyes, featuring a lovely arrangement courtesy of Marion Evans.

Beginning in dramatic fashion, the ensemble teases a crescendo before the trumpets get impatient and finish the job in measure 4. Decaying back to a gentle volume level soon after, the band settles into a light but clearly defined tango groove for the verse. O'Connell's vocals are the star, with only some minimal trombone accompaniment here and there. A brass fanfare marks the shift to the melody at measure 25. The rhythm section switches to a soft swing feel, with a chorus of clarinets providing low, somewhat mournful accompaniment.

Once O'Connell gets to the end of the melody, there is a sudden jump to a not-quite-double time tempo at measure 55. A brief piano solo sets up a half-chorus ensemble shout based on a subtle re-interpretation of the melody. O'Connell returns at measure 75, singing the first half of the tune with just the rhythm section before the horns sneak in with some simple backgrounds. The finale sees the band switch to a new key for just a few bars, providing an unexpected but enjoyable conclusion.

Included with this publication are alternate woodwind parts that have transposed the clarinet parts to be playable by a standard sax section. In addition, the original arrangement was written for only 3 trumpets - a 4th trumpet part has been added and is optional. This publication was prepared from Marion Evans's pencil score and the original set of parts used for the recording session - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Woodwind 1: Alto Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 2: Alto Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 3: Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 4: Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet
Woodwind 5: Baritone Saxophone/Bass Clarinet
4 Trumpets (Trumpet 4 Optional)
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set
Alternate Woodwind 1: Alto Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 2: Alto Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 3: Tenor Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 4: Tenor Saxophone
Alternate Woodwind 5: Baritone Saxophone

Vocal Key: F
Trumpet 1: D6
Trombone 1: C5