Someone to Watch Over Me (VJCP518-FBB)
comp. by George & Ira Gershwin
arr. by David Yackley
$40.00 (USD)
 
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VJCP518-FBB – Flexible Instrumentation Jazz Ensemble Chart, which has been written to sound complete with as few as 11 pieces or as many as a full (18-piece) big band. The instrumentation is as follows:
 
Alto Sax I, Alto Sax II, Tenor Sax I, Tenor Sax II (opt.), Baritone Sax (opt.)
Trumpet I, Trumpet II, Trumpet III, Trumpet IV (opt.)
Trombone I, Trombone II, Trombone III (opt.), Bass Trombone (IV) (opt.)
Guitar (opt.), Piano, Bass, Drums, Vibraphone (opt.)
 
Description: David Yackley’s arrangement of Someone to Watch Over Me takes one of George Gershwin’s most beloved ballads—memorably performed by Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Linda Ronstadt, among others—and reimagines it for a new generation of young musicians as a medium swing chart.
 
The song’s original introduction, conducted freely, opens with a tenor sax, trumpet, and trombone trio, then blossoms into a broader statement from the entire band (sans drums). The Head In frames the tune as a medium swing piece, with Tenor Sax I and Trumpet II featured on both the melody and in subsequent improvised solo sections. Following solos, the band reprises the bridge as a strong shout chorus featuring an inventive stretto section, leading to a concluding statement by the returning tenor sax and trumpet.
 
While the straight-ahead chart is not especially long, it employs a variety of textures and contrapuntal writing techniques that students will enjoy. The ensemble writing consistently features idiomatic rhythms that should feel comfortable to any intermediate-level high school jazz band.
 
This big band arrangement is of intermediate difficulty.
 
While an excerpted audio sample is provided here at the VJC Store, complete recordings of many VJC Publications (including this one) can be found on the VJC YouTube page.
 
Please note: The VJC will never pursue payment of synchroni­zation rights from middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, community colleges, universities, all-state ensembles, church groups, or independent edu­cational programs for young people related to the posting of recorded performan­ces of this work on YouTube or other, similar sites (including social media platforms). While sharing the .pdf files is not permitted, sharing your musical performance online is.
 
All proceeds from sales of VJC Publications go directly to fund the educational programs of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.