Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald

Something To Live For

Released on Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington's 1965 collaboration 'Ella At Duke's Place,' this brief but lovely arrangement is a wonderful treatment of one of Billy Strayhorn's most tender and disarming melodies. The introductory verse is carried out in a rubato fashion by the vocalist with piano accompaniment. Although the vocalist is free to interpret this section as they see fit, we have included a tempo mark that approximates the speed at which Fitzgerald chose to approach this section. The entire ensemble enters at measure 17, settling into a medium slow ballad feel. Although this arrangement was written by pianist Jimmy Jones, one can't help but notice the Strayhorn influence in the saxophone writing during this portion of the arrangement. The volume level should remain quite low throughout, as this arrangement is clearly crafted in a way that ensures the vocalist remains front-and-center throughout. The only real moment where an instrumentalist is allowed to stand out is in measures 25 and 26, where there is a brief written-out tenor saxophone solo (originally handled by seminal Ellington star Paul Gonsalves). The brass should be in either bucket mute or hat throughout the chart. There should be a noticeable sense of dramatic tension-and-release in the last few bars leading into the rubato finish at measure 55, but this should be achieved without increasing the overall dynamic level. Be careful to observe the brief dynamic swell in the ensemble on the final held chord, as this is the only part of the arrangement that rises above a medium soft volume. This is in the key of F throughout. This arrangement is written for jazz big band with vocal soloist. This is not a transcription - it has been prepared from the original parts used by the Ellington band. Special thanks for the Ella Fitzgerald Estate for granting us permission to publish this arrangement. We hope you enjoy playing this arrangement as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you!