Almost Like Being In Love (D.Sebesky)

Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner originally penned "Almost Like Being in Love" for the 1947 Broadway hit *Brigadoon*, where its buoyant optimism and soaring melodic contour immediately captured the public imagination. It swiftly transitioned into the Great American Songbook, interpreted by vocal and instrumental jazz luminaries ranging from Nat King Cole to Sonny Rollins. The tune's inherent harmonic flexibility—shifting gracefully between buoyant diatonic movement and rich secondary dominants—makes it a quintessential vehicle for creative jazz reinterpretation, bridging traditional theater songcraft with sophisticated post-swing vocabulary. Master arranger Don Sebesky stamps this chart with his signature sophisticated palette, transforming the familiar Broadway standard into a sophisticated big band tour de force. Infused with a brisk, infectious medium-up swing groove, the arrangement balances driving rhythmic momentum with lush, impressionistic harmonic colorations. Sebesky utilizes expanded chord voicings, subtle metric modulations, and clever counterpoint that evoke his legendary CTI Records aesthetic. The emotional arc moves effortlessly from joyous, bubbling ensemble exuberance to reflective, exquisitely textured transitional passages, creating a dynamic journey that keeps both performers and audiences completely engaged. The 56-page score showcases Sebesky’s genius for instrumental color, distributing thematic material across brilliant brass soli passages and intricate woodwind-laced background figures. The saxes and trumpets trade crisp, interlocking lines that demand immaculate articulation, while a powerhouse shout chorus builds inexorably through dense, polychordal stackings before resolving into a triumphant climax. Solo space is thoughtfully integrated, allowing featured horn players to stretch out over sophisticated changes that stay true to the spirit of the original melody while inviting modern improvisational exploration. Advanced collegiate, community, and professional big bands will find this chart an immensely rewarding centerpiece for festival programs or formal concert sets. The level of independent part-reading, dynamic control, and stylistic versatility required places it firmly in the advanced tier. Ensembles possessing strong section cohesion and a refined sense of swing will unlock the intricate brilliance of Sebesky’s writing, making it an unforgettable showcase for modern jazz repertoire. Navigating Don Sebesky’s sophisticated chart requires meticulous attention to balance, intonation, and dynamic shading, particularly during dense chromatic passages. The tempo should be locked into a crisp, driving medium-up swing (around quarter note = 192 BPM), where the rhythm section must maintain an ultra-steady, conversational pulse without dragging. Brass players must execute articulated falls and precise mutes cleanly, ensuring that background figures never obscure the primary melody carried by the lead trumpet and alto saxophone. Conductors should pay special attention to the transitional rubato stretches, guiding the ensemble through sudden tempo and textural shifts with clear, decisive downbeats. Rehearsals should begin with sectional work focusing on intonation within Sebesky's extended upper-structure chords, allowing the complex harmonies to bloom naturally before integrating full ensemble dynamics. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: This 56-page arrangement is scored for a standard 17-instrument big band lineup, featuring five trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones (with standard double woodwind or auxiliary doubling where specified), and a full four-piece rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, and guitar). Q: What is the difficulty level of this chart? A: This arrangement is designated as advanced, making it best suited for high-level collegiate, community, and professional big bands that possess strong technical proficiency, precise reading skills, and mature ensemble balance. Q: What is the historical style and context of the arrangement? A: Based on Frederick Loewe's classic 1947 Broadway standard, this chart filters the timeless melody through Don Sebesky's sophisticated, modern jazz-orchestral aesthetic, blending traditional swing elements with lush, post-bop harmonic voicings. Q: What makes Don Sebesky’s treatment of this tune unique? A: Sebesky elevates the standard through inventive harmonic reharmonizations, gorgeous impressionistic textures reminiscent of his famous CTI orchestrations, and a brilliantly structured shout chorus that showcases intricate brass and woodwind interplay. Q: What is the performance duration and tempo feel of the piece? A: The arrangement is set at an energetic medium-up swing tempo, typically clocking in around 3.5 to 4.5 minutes depending on the length allotted for improvised solos and the conductor's preferred pacing.