Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Ballad - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Recorded in 1958 for the final album to be released in her lifetime, Lady in Satin, Billie Holiday is accompanied by a Ray Ellis arrangement that provides a lush setting for her iconic vocal style. Not overwhelmingly difficult technically, it will provide your singer and ensemble with a formidable musical challenge.

Holiday enters after a brief harp strum, and is primarily accompanied by strings and rhythm section during her first pass through the melody. The occasional appearances of the woodwinds occur at very specific parts in the lyrics, and should be played with a sprightly brightness. A trombone solo at measure 33 (likely played by the eminent J.J. Johnson) is the only real spot where any of the instrumentalists get to shine, but its brevity should not invite your soloist to overplay. Holiday carries the final strain of the melody, with some lovely rising and falling string and woodwind figures bringing the performance in for a gentle conclusion.

This publication was prepared from Ray Ellis's original pencil score - this is not a transcription. The vocal key is Bb. String bowings and slurs supplied by Las Vegas violinist Geri Thompson.

Full Score
Vocal
Woodwind 1: Flute
Woodwind 2: Flute
Woodwind 3: Oboe/Flute
Woodwind 4: Bass Clarinet
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
3 Violins (9 Players Recommended)
Viola (2 Players Recommended)
Cello (2 Players Recommended)
Harp
Guitar
Celeste/Piano
Acoustic Bass
Vibraphone
Drum Set

Vocal Key: Bb