Yellow Days

RECORDED BY FRANK SINATRA WITH DUKE ELLINGTON
ARRANGED BY BILLY MAY
We are thrilled to present our first offering from the classic meeting between Francis A. and Edward K.
Frank Sinatra, at the tail end of his greatest period, spent an afternoon with the Ellington band, and the result is some fantastic music, matching The Voice with one of the great jazz groups of all time. Jazz Lines Publications is very proud to publish these tunes, making the music of a truly landmark and historic recording session available to the public for the first time.
Yellow Days comes bouncing to life in this arrangement, which has been engraved from the original manuscript: this is not a transcription. In addition, this arrangement has been authorized and produced with the full support of the Estate of Billy May. This chart swings in classic Sinatra AND Ellington fashions.
This Billy May arrangement is not a technically difficult arrangement; however, the Ellington band was so tight that it will take a lot of work to duplicate that sound. In fact, most of this arrangement sound more like the Count Basie band with whom Sinatra had previously worked. There are unison lines and 8th note hits that will require attention. There is an 8-bar alto solo sandwiched between 2 ensemble sections. Alto 2 and tenor 1 both double clarinet. Lastly, the original arrangement was scored for 3 trombones and no guitar. We have included an optional 4th trombone and guitar part.
Ranges:
- Trumpet 1: to D6
- Trombone 1: to C5 (All other trombones optional C5)
- Vocal Key: E flat