Woody Herman

The Good Earth

The Good Earth was written by Neal Hefti for the Woody Herman Orchestra and is a blistering swing chart. Our transcription is taken from the 1963 Basin Street West studio session in Hollywood. The original chart was written for 5 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Clarinet, 3 Tenors, Baritone and 4 Rhythm. We have adapted the chart to 4 Trumpets & 4 Trombones, and the 4th Trombone can be played by a Bass Trombone. The reeds stay 'as recorded', though we have included an extra Alto part which can be substituted for the 2nd Tenor part, making the section CTATB. Herman's solo is written out, but the Tenor solo is improvised. This is quite a challenging chart to play and it needs energy and good musicianship to do it justice. However, it is really rewarding for band and audiences alike.