Happy As The Day Is Long by Harold Arlen Jazz Ensemble - Digital Sheet Music

Peter Stöve “What If Benny Goodman...” series, volume 9! (A take-off on events that could have happened with the Benny Goodman Orchestra’s book of arrangements if things in jazz history had taken another turn).What if, in 1934, Goodman had taken the Benny Carter arrangement of “Happy as the Day is Long” from the Fletcher Henderson band book into his own book of arrangements? And what if Goodman had asked Carter to write a vocal part in the arrangement for Helen Ward? Time-wise it could have happened: Carter left for Europe in 1935, after having to disband his own orchestra in 1934. Ward was the featured vocalist with the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the “Let’s Dance”-radio broadcasts.The song was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1933 musical revue Cotton Club Parade. It was therefore one of the popular hits with which Goodman could entertain the “Let’s Dance” audience. And those popular hits naturally had to be sung, even though Goodman believed that jazz was primarily instrumental music. But Helen Ward was a singer who should have been able to sing this kind of up-tempo song well.“Happy As The Day Is Long” is presented here as a piece that could have been a cornerstone of the Goodman vocal band repertoire for the “Let’s Dance” broadcasts. The saxophone soli written by Carter is present, but immediately afterward, the singer performs the verse and chorus of the song. This is followed by a clarinet solo, after which the singer sings a reprise of the chorus. The final chorus is instrumental.Scored for the line-up of the Benny Goodman Orchestra of 1935: solo clarinet/2 alto saxophones/2 tenor saxophones/3 trumpets/2 trombones/rhythm section/vocal. Trumpet 1 to D3. Difficult for multiple reasons: The clarinet soloist must be a first-class ‘BG-wannabe’. Fluent soloist, comfortable in the upper register. Strong lead alto required, with an old-skool ‘singing’ tone. The vocalist must have very good diction to remain intelligible in the up-tempo. Driving rhythm section needed; swinging (preferably acoustic) rhythm guitarist and a bassist who doesn't shy away from playing compelling bass lines. If your band meets these requirements: have fun!