It's All Right With Me (London)

Cole Porter's timeless composition, "It's All Right With Me," emerged from the 1953 Broadway musical *Can-Can*, where it was introduced by Peter Cookson. While initially a show tune, its sophisticated harmonic structure and memorable melody quickly resonated with jazz musicians, cementing its status as a quintessential jazz standard. The song's inherent swing feel and lyrical flexibility have made it a favorite for improvisers and vocalists alike, with iconic interpretations by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Chet Baker. This enduring popularity stems from Porter's masterful blend of wit and romanticism, creating a piece that is both elegant and deeply expressive, perfectly capturing the sophisticated essence of mid-20th-century American popular song and its seamless transition into the jazz idiom. London's arrangement of "It's All Right With Me" presents this classic as a vibrant, medium-up swing big band chart, set in the key of C major. The overall mood is one of sophisticated exuberance, maintaining the original's charm while infusing it with contemporary big band energy. The arrangement opens with a bright, driving ensemble figure, immediately establishing a propulsive 4/4 swing feel. The vocal melody is initially presented with a lush, harmonized saxophone soli, offering a rich textural backdrop before the vocalist takes center stage. London's signature approach involves crafting intricate yet highly playable horn voicings that provide both harmonic depth and rhythmic drive, ensuring that the ensemble always feels engaged and contributing to the overall narrative of the piece. This arrangement masterfully balances ensemble precision with opportunities for individual expression. The melody is predominantly carried by the vocalist, supported by carefully crafted horn lines that echo and complement the vocal phrasing. A standout feature is the extended saxophone soli section following the vocal chorus, showcasing London's knack for creating compelling melodic counterpoint and tight ensemble work. This segues into an open solo section, typically featuring a tenor saxophone, allowing for creative improvisation over the standard chord changes. Technical challenges include maintaining a consistent, driving swing feel throughout, precise articulation in the horn sections, and navigating the dynamic shifts that build towards a powerful shout chorus. The chart culminates in a full ensemble outro, bringing the piece to a thrilling and definitive close. Designed for advanced high school, college, community, and professional big bands, this arrangement offers a rewarding performance experience. Its thoughtful scoring ensures that each section has interesting and challenging parts, fostering ensemble cohesion and individual growth. The interplay between the vocalist and the band, coupled with the dynamic arc from the opening statement to the powerful shout chorus, makes "It's All Right With Me (London)" a captivating addition to any big band's repertoire. It provides an excellent platform for developing strong swing articulation, ensemble blend, and improvisational skills, while delivering a performance that is both musically sophisticated and immensely enjoyable for audiences. This arrangement thrives on a consistent, medium-up swing feel at approximately 150-160 BPM. Emphasize a light, driving eighth-note pulse, avoiding a heavy or plodding feel. The primary technical challenge lies in the tight ensemble articulation, particularly in the saxophone soli sections and the brass figures supporting the vocalist. Encourage brass players to use a bright, focused sound, and saxophones to blend seamlessly in the soli passages. Dynamic contrasts are crucial; practice the crescendos leading into the shout chorus and the subtle backing figures for the vocalist to ensure they support without overpowering. Rehearsal should focus on rhythmic precision in the intro and outro, and ensuring the solo section provides a clear, supportive harmonic foundation for the improviser. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: This arrangement is scored for a full big band, including Conductor, Vocal, 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, Guitar, Piano, Bass, and Drums. Q: What is the difficulty level of this arrangement? A: This arrangement is rated as medium-advanced, suitable for advanced high school, college, community, and professional big bands. It requires solid ensemble playing, good sight-reading skills, and an understanding of jazz articulation and swing feel. Q: What is the musical style and historical context of "It's All Right With Me (London)"? A: This is a big band arrangement of the jazz standard "It's All Right With Me," originally composed by Cole Porter for the 1953 musical *Can-Can*. London's arrangement maintains the song's classic medium-up swing feel while infusing it with modern big band voicings. Q: What makes London's arrangement of "It's All Right With Me" unique? A: London's arrangement is distinguished by its sophisticated horn voicings, particularly in the saxophone soli sections, and its dynamic build-up to a powerful shout chorus. It provides a balanced blend of ensemble precision and soloistic opportunities, showcasing the arranger's signature blend of tradition and contemporary big band energy. Q: What is the approximate performance duration and tempo of this piece? A: The approximate performance duration for this arrangement is around 3:30 to 4:00 minutes, depending on the length of the improvised solo. It is designed to be performed at a medium-up swing tempo, typically between 150-160 beats per minute.