A Natural Woman (P.Murtha)

Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Jerry Wexler penned "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" in 1967, a timeless anthem of empowerment and profound affection that quickly became synonymous with Aretha Franklin's iconic vocal delivery. Released during a pivotal era for soul music, Franklin's rendition soared to the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its status as a foundational piece of American popular music. While not originally conceived as a jazz tune, its rich harmonic structure, expressive melody, and enduring popularity have made it a natural candidate for reinterpretation across various genres, including a burgeoning presence within the jazz standard repertoire. The song's emotional depth and lyrical narrative offer fertile ground for instrumental exploration, allowing musicians to imbue its familiar contours with new expressive possibilities. P.Murtha's arrangement transforms this soulful classic into a sophisticated big band chart, reimagining its essence through a contemporary jazz lens. The piece opens with a reflective, rubato introduction, setting an intimate mood before settling into a medium-slow swing feel at approximately 88-92 BPM. The primary key is F major, providing a warm, accessible harmonic landscape that allows for rich voicings without excessive technical demands. Murtha's signature approach often involves thoughtful reharmonization, incorporating extended harmonies (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and subtle chromaticism that enrich the original melodic lines without obscuring their integrity. The overall mood is one of elegant introspection, building to moments of heartfelt expression rather than explosive power. The arrangement features the melody initially carried by a solo alto saxophone, offering a lyrical and expressive showcase for the lead voice. This is followed by a beautifully crafted saxophone soli section, where the entire sax section weaves intricate lines, demonstrating Murtha's adeptness at creating engaging ensemble textures. A pivotal moment arrives with an open solo section over the song's familiar chord changes, providing ample space for improvisation, typically featuring tenor saxophone or trumpet. The chart then builds towards a compelling shout chorus, meticulously voiced to create a full, resonant sound that captures the emotional arc of the original. Murtha skillfully employs dynamic contrasts and textural shifts, ensuring the arrangement maintains interest throughout its approximately 4-minute duration. This arrangement is ideally suited for college-level big bands, advanced high school ensembles, and community jazz orchestras looking for a piece that balances artistic depth with achievable technical demands. Its lyrical nature and familiar melody make it an excellent choice for developing expressive playing and ensemble blend. While the solo section requires improvisational skill, the written ensemble parts are challenging yet rewarding, focusing on precise articulation, balance, and dynamic control rather than extreme ranges or rapid technical passages. The thoughtful voicings and clear structure make it an excellent vehicle for teaching phrasing and musicality within a big band context, offering a rewarding experience for both performers and audiences. This arrangement thrives on expressive phrasing and a cohesive ensemble sound. Establish a medium-slow swing feel (quarter note = 88-92 BPM) from the main theme, ensuring a relaxed yet forward momentum. The opening rubato section requires careful listening and sensitivity, allowing the alto saxophone soloist to set the emotional tone. Pay close attention to dynamic markings, particularly the subtle swells and diminuendos that enhance the chart's lyrical quality. The saxophone soli section demands precise articulation and balance to achieve the intended blend and clarity; rehearse this section slowly, focusing on matching tone and attack. For the open solo section, encourage improvisers to embrace the melodic and harmonic richness of the original tune. The shout chorus requires careful attention to tuning and rhythmic precision, aiming for a unified, powerful sound without overblowing. No special techniques like plunger mutes or falls are explicitly notated, emphasizing clean, musical execution. Q: What instruments are included in this arrangement? A: This big band arrangement includes parts for 17 instruments: Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone 1, Tenor Saxophone 2, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Trumpet 3, Trumpet 4, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Trombone 4, Piano, Bass, Drums, and Guitar, along with a conductor score. Q: What is the difficulty level of "A Natural Woman (P.Murtha)"? A: This arrangement is rated as medium-advanced, suitable for college-level big bands, advanced high school ensembles, and community jazz orchestras. It offers musical challenges in phrasing, dynamics, and ensemble blend, with an open solo section for improvisation. Q: What is the musical style and historical context of this piece? A: This is a jazz big band arrangement of the classic soul song "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)," originally composed by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Jerry Wexler in 1967 and famously performed by Aretha Franklin. P.Murtha's arrangement reinterprets it as a sophisticated jazz standard. Q: What makes P.Murtha's arrangement of "A Natural Woman" unique? A: P.Murtha's treatment features a medium-slow swing feel, thoughtful reharmonization with extended harmonies, and a lyrical approach. It includes a featured alto saxophone melody, a beautifully voiced saxophone soli, an open solo section, and a compelling shout chorus, all contributing to an elegant and expressive rendition. Q: What is the approximate performance duration and tempo of this arrangement? A: The approximate performance duration for this arrangement is 4 minutes. It is set at a medium-slow swing tempo, typically around 88-92 BPM, with an initial rubato section.