Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Slow Swing - Medium

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Body and Soul served as the closing track on Ella Fitzgerald's 1962 album Ella Swings Gently with Nelson. As the album's title implies, Nelson Riddle's arrangement never reaches an overly dramatic peak, opting instead for a slow build from start to finish that never loses its mellow atmosphere even at its dynamic extremes.

The introduction showcases three different musical identities - a moody saxophone section, a bright muted trumpet, and a rumbling bass trombone - to dramatic effect. Fitzgerald enters at measure 9, her voice floating atop accompaniment ranging from a bed of strings to some bluesy horn riffs. All dynamic shifts during this section should be noticeable, but subtle. At the melody's conclusion, a brief dramatic swell in the horns sets the stage for an 8 bar tenor sax solo over the tune's bridge. The arrangement's grand finale involves a gradual build by both vocalist and ensemble, ultimately wrapping up in a brash and bluesy fashion.

This publication was prepared from Nelson Riddle's original pencil score - this is not a transcription. The vocal key is F and there are no saxophone doubles.

 

Full Score
Vocal
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Bass Trombone
3 Violins
Viola
Cello
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Vocal Key: F
Trumpet 1: D6
Trombone 1: A4