Don't Get Around Much Anymore (J.Nowak)

Duke Ellington’s timeless 1940 composition, originally penned as an instrumental titled "Never No Lament" before Bob Russell added lyrics in 1942, stands as an absolute cornerstone of the American Songbook and the big band canon. Immortalized by Ellington's own orchestra and later adapted by vocal and instrumental icons alike, the tune captures the sophisticated, blues-infused elegance of the swing era. Its enduring appeal lies in its deceptively simple, descending melodic contour and its rich harmonic framework, which invites both relaxed swinging and nuanced interpretation. Jerry Nowak’s masterful big band adaptation breathes fresh life into this classic standard by blending traditional swing-era textures with accessible, contemporary educational scoring. Set in a comfortable medium-swing tempo, the chart radiates a warm, sophisticated mood that shifts seamlessly between sultry, laid-back ensemble passages and driving, foot-tapping momentum. Nowak structures the arrangement to highlight the contrasting colors of the full 17-piece jazz orchestra, utilizing rich saxophone section solids and crisp brass punch lines to evoke the classic Count Basie and Duke Ellington ballroom aesthetics while maintaining a clarity that modern ensembles love to play. Throughout the chart, the melodic weight is shared gracefully across the sections, allowing both the saxophones and brass to take turns driving the narrative. The arrangement features designated solo space—typically tailored for alto saxophone or trumpet—over classic blues-derived changes that encourage developing improvisers to stretch out, while giving advanced players room to explore sophisticated phrasing. Technical demands are thoughtfully managed, making the chart exceptionally playable: rhythms are standard swing figures without excessive syncopation traps, and the brass ranges remain sensible, avoiding extreme altissimo demands while still providing a bright, resonant shout chorus that builds natural excitement before a tasteful dynamic decrescendo. Advanced middle school, high school, and community jazz ensembles will find this chart an ideal vehicle for teaching stylistic authenticity, ensemble balance, and the art of the swing eighth note. Because Nowak avoids overly dense modern dissonance, directors can use this 40-page score to focus heavily on foundational big band concepts: section blending, dynamic contrast, and articulation discipline. It provides a rewarding, crowd-pleasing concert piece that satisfies audiences while offering genuine pedagogical value for developing horn sections and rhythm players alike. Success with Jerry Nowak’s setting of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" hinges on achieving an authentic, relaxed medium-swing feel. Directors should caution the rhythm section against rushing; the groove must sit comfortably in the pocket, anchored by a steady walking bass line and a crisp ride cymbal pattern. * **Tempo & Feel:** Aim for a relaxed quarter note = 116-122 BPM. Avoid stiff, eighth-note subdivisions; ensure the ensemble interprets eighth notes with a traditional triplet swing feel, keeping accented offbeats light and buoyant. * **Articulations:** Horn players must pay close attention to marked dynamic contrasts and articulation markings. Emphasize short, clipped staccatos on background figures to leave space for the melody, and use gentle, vocal-like crescendos on sustained chord tones. * **Rhythm Section:** The piano and guitar should comp sparsely, utilizing vintage chord voicings that complement the horns rather than cluttering the texture. The drummer should keep hi-hat chokes sharp on beats 2 and 4. * **Rehearsal Strategy:** Isolate the sax soli early in rehearsal to lock in intonation and unified phrasing before adding the brass backgrounds. Ensure the dynamic peak of the shout chorus never forces the tone quality into an aggressive edge; warmth and resonance should prevail. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: This standard 17-instrument big band instrumentation includes 5 saxophones (2 altos, 2 tenors, 1 baritone), 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and auxiliary score pages totaling 40 pages. Q: What is the difficulty level of this arrangement? A: It is graded as medium-easy to medium, making it highly accessible for high school and advanced middle school jazz bands while remaining musically satisfying for community groups. Q: What is the historical style and context of the piece? A: The piece is a classic Duke Ellington swing standard from the early 1940s, arranged here in a traditional medium-swing style that mirrors the sophisticated elegance of the big band era. Q: What makes this specific arrangement by Jerry Nowak unique? A: Nowak balances rich, Ellingtonian harmonic flavor with highly accessible educational scoring, offering clean section solis and a well-paced shout chorus without extreme technical or range demands. Q: What is the performance duration and tempo of the chart? A: The arrangement performs at a comfortable medium-swing tempo of approximately 116 to 122 beats per minute, resulting in a standard concert duration of around 3 to 4 minutes depending on solo rotations.