FEBRUARY NOTES: (Feb. 20th Update) Ain't We Got Fun has been a staple in the American popular song catalog for decades due to its bouncy melody and lyrics that mix upbeat optimism with world-weary cynicism. Peggy Lee leans more into the former with her playful interpretation, accompanied by an expectedly hard-swinging arrangement from the pen of Nelson Riddle. This arrangement was recorded in 1957-58 for the Jump for Joy album. The string parts may be omitted so that this can be played by a standard big band. This arrangement has been published from the set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription.

Peggy Lee and Billy May joined forces in 1960 to record the Pretty Eyes album for Capitol Records. This score is a wonderful treatment of the Bart Howard standard, now primarily known as Fly Me to the Moon. Arranged as a ballad, May's lush voicings provide the perfect backdrop to Lee's sultry voice. This publication was prepared from Billy May's pencil score and the set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription. The vocal key modulates from G to Ab. String bowings provided by Las Vegas violinist Geri Thompson.

Brand new in our Ella Fitzgerald Series is All by Myself. Recorded in 1958 for Ella's Irving Berlin Song Book album, this Paul Weston chart channels both the Woody Herman Four Brothers and Dave Pell Octet sounds. Due to the light nature of this arrangement, it would work well as a mid-set break for the brass section. This publication was prepared from Paul Weston's original pencil score - this is not a transcription. We also just published another chart from the classic Ella and Basie! record as arranged by Quincy Jones, On the Sunny Side of the Street. Please see it below in the newly-updated set of original charts from the recording of this album.

Few song titles have been more reflective of the artist performing it than Sixteen Men Swinging. Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra for their 1954 album Dance Session, this Ernie Wilkins chart serves as a high-energy burner that brilliantly features soloists and ensemble alike. This publication was prepared from the original set of parts - this is not a transcription. The trombone 4 part is an added, optional part.

We had a very exciting one to start February with It Only Happens Every Time, recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra on their essential 1970 album Consummation. Unlike Jones's more familiar gregarious style, it is a gentle bossa nova that luxuriates in its lush harmonies and sultry melody, only briefly reaching the raucous heights for which his music is usually known. We have provided alternate parts for 1st, 2nd, and 5th woodwind that remove and/or transpose any doubles in order to allow this arrangement to be played by a standard sax section. 

More from Hal Leonard will keep appearing as they become available as well.

Please check out January New Release pages for the introduction of the 2026 Essentially Ellington Series of charts, Frank Sinatra's classic It Was a Very Good Year as arranged by Gordon Jenkins, Tony Bennett's fine version of On the Sunny Side as arranged by Marion Evans, John Fedchock's wild Embraceable You, Alexander's Ragtime Band from Ella Fitzgerald and Paul Weston, and lots more.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We now have almost 2500 PDF downloadable arrangements from Hal Leonard, Alfred Publishing, Kendor Music, and Doug Beach Music available to you!

Please click here for all Hal Leonard PDF downloadable arrangements.

Please click here for all Alfred Publishing PDF downloadable arrangements.

Please click here for all Kendor Music and Doug Beach Music PDF downloadable arrangements.