Just One Of Those Things (J.Farley)

Cole Porter’s immortal 1935 masterpiece "Just One Of Those Things," originally introduced in the Broadway musical *Jubilee*, rapidly transcended the Great White Way to become an absolute cornerstone of the straight-ahead jazz repertoire. Defined by its sophisticated, descending harmonic roadmap and mercurial melodic contour, the song has been famously interpreted by luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Art Tatum, and the Count Basie Orchestra. It captures the quintessential urbane wit and bittersweet romantic fatalism of the Golden Age of American songwriting, providing an ideal canvas for sophisticated jazz interpretation. John Farley’s dynamic big band adaptation charges out of the gate with an exhilarating up-tempo swing feel anchored in a crisp 4/4 driving pulse. Set in a bright, energetic key that prioritizes horn brilliance and maximum brass resonance, this arrangement crackles with high-octane theatricality and relentless forward momentum. The emotional landscape shifts seamlessly from breezy sophistication to blistering, high-register excitement, evoking the glittering atmosphere of a mid-century Manhattan supper club turbocharged by modern big band muscle. Farley approaches Porter’s ironclad form with an inventive ear for counterpoint and texture, building upon traditional swing-era architecture while injecting contemporary harmonic extensions. The arrangement features a tightly woven saxophone soli that showcases intricate line-sharing across the section, followed by a roaring, multi-layered shout chorus that reworks Porter's signature cyclical changes into a towering wall of brass sound. Sectional voicings prioritize rich chord clusters in the lower reeds balanced against searing, open-bell trumpet stabs, ensuring a dense, professional acoustic footprint despite the lean ensemble configuration. Carrying a robust 8-instrument instrumentation tailored for a compact powerhouse ensemble (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and rhythm section support), the chart distributes melodic responsibility evenly while reserving marquee moments for featured horn solos. Technical demands center on clean articulation at high speeds, agile fingerwork through rapid chord substitutions, and precise section blend during unison lines. The rhythm section is tasked with driving the freight train, utilizing comping patterns that alternate between crisp Freddie Green-style acoustic rhythm guitar/piano stabs and explosive, Elvin Jones-inspired ride cymbal interplay. Advanced high school ensembles, collegiate jazz orchestras, and professional chamber big bands will find this chart to be an exceptional centerpiece for festival competition or club performance. Its clever economy of instrumentation combined with a massive, stadium-filling sonic impact makes it a rewarding challenge that guarantees an unforgettable audience reaction. Conductors should approach this chart with a strict, driving tempo in mind; dragging will immediately deflate the buoyant rhythmic tension essential to Porter's writing. The primary technical challenge lies in the execution of fast, synchronized swing eighth notes across the reed and brass sections—ensure that players avoid over-dotting and instead aim for a seamless, legato-tongued triplet feel at higher metronome markings. Brass players will encounter demanding upper-register demands during the climax, so pacing endurance through the dynamic swells of the shout chorus is crucial. Articulation is everything: marked accents must be clipped and punchy, contrasting sharply with the flowing, lyrical contours of the main melody statements. Rehearsals should initially be broken down at a sub-tempo to lock in the intricate horn interplays and syncopated rhythmic kicks before bringing the ensemble up to performance speed. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: This chart is scored for an 8-instrument big band lineup comprising Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and a complete rhythm section (Piano, Bass, and Drums). Q: What is the difficulty level of this John Farley arrangement? A: This arrangement is graded as advanced (appropriate for advanced high school, collegiate, and professional ensembles) due to its demanding up-tempo requirements and intricate sectional unisons. Q: What is the style and historical context of the music? A: It is a high-energy, up-tempo swing adaptation of Cole Porter's 1935 jazz standard, drawing heavily on the traditions of classic big band orchestration while utilizing modern harmonic voicings. Q: What makes this specific arrangement unique? A: John Farley's specialized scoring achieves a massive, full-ensemble big band sound using a streamlined 8-instrument configuration, highlighted by a meticulously crafted saxophone soli and a towering shout chorus. Q: What is the performance duration and recommended tempo feel? A: The arrangement is designed for a brisk, driving medium-up to fast swing tempo (approximately quarter note = 220 BPM) and runs for roughly 3.5 to 4 minutes.