Our Love Is Here To Stay (T.Kubis)

George and Ira Gershwin’s timeless masterpiece, "Our Love Is Here To Stay," holds a sacred place in the Great American Songbook as the final composition George completed before his untimely passing in 1937. Introduced to the silver screen in the 1938 film *The Goldwyn Follies* and later canonized by vocal icons like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald, this quintessential standard represents the pinnacle of late-1930s romantic Tin Pan Alley craftsmanship. Its enduring melodic contour and sophisticated harmonic framework have invited countless jazz interpretations across every subsequent era, transitioning effortlessly from lush balladry to swinging vehicle. Master arranger Tom Kubis seizes upon the inherent warmth of the Gershwin melody and re-imagines it through a vibrant, contemporary big band lens characterized by a buoyant, driving medium-swing feel. The arrangement opens with an inviting, harmonically rich introduction that establishes a sophisticated mood before launching into a lush, full-ensemble groove. Kubis expertly balances rich, modern extended chord voicings—frequent hallmarks of his writing—with the breezy, West Coast-inflected optimism that defines his signature compositional voice. The energy builds organically, transitioning through clever modulations and dynamic shifts that keep both the performers and the audience thoroughly engaged from the first downbeat to the final chord. Throughout the chart, the melodic heavy lifting is shared gracefully between the woodwinds and the brass, punctuated by classic Kubis sax soli writing that demands tight blend, immaculate intonation, and a flexible swing articulation. A dedicated solo space allows a featured horn player to stretch out over standard changes that lay comfortably under the fingers while offering enough harmonic depth for expressive improvisation. The climax of the arrangement culminates in a textbook Kubis shout chorus—brilliant, brass-heavy, and rhythmically driving—before winding down into a tasteful, glowing coda that leaves a lasting emotional impression. Advanced high school ensembles with strong section leaders, as well as collegiate, community, and professional jazz orchestras, will find this 34-page chart an absolute joy to prepare and perform. While the technical demands require proficient sight-reading and a secure grasp of syncopated swing subdivision, the payoff is immense. It serves as a premier showcase for a band's stylistic versatility, demanding a mature blend, dynamic control, and an appreciation for sophisticated yet accessible modern big band arranging. Reigning in the quintessential Tom Kubis swing feel requires meticulous attention to articulation; eighth notes must be cleanly swung with a natural, forward-moving cadence rather than heavy, exaggerated accents. The tempo should sit comfortably in a relaxed medium groove, allowing the sophisticated harmonic voicings to breathe without dragging the rhythm section. Saxophones must approach their soli sections with a unified concept of tone and placement, paying careful attention to dynamic shading indicated by the arranger. Brass players should execute falls and doits with stylistic restraint, ensuring they ornament the line rather than overpower it. During rehearsal, isolate the rhythm section first to lock in the foundational pocket before layering in the horns. Pay special attention to the dynamic peaks leading into the shout chorus to ensure the ensemble maintains a balanced blend even at peak volume. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: This chart is scored for a standard 14-instrument big band lineup, featuring Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone 1, Tenor Saxophone 2, Baritone Saxophone, trumpet and trombone parts, and a full rhythm section. Q: What is the difficulty level of this Tom Kubis arrangement? A: This arrangement is graded as advanced-intermediate to advanced, making it ideal for skilled high school, collegiate, and professional big bands that possess solid section cohesion and swing reading abilities. Q: What is the musical style and historical background of the piece? A: It is a swinging jazz big band treatment of George and Ira Gershwin’s final completed song from 1937, blending classic Tin Pan Alley romanticism with modern, West Coast-influenced jazz arranging techniques. Q: What makes this specific arrangement unique? A: Tom Kubis brings his signature compositional wit and harmonic sophistication to the standard, featuring lush chord voicings, a tightly crafted saxophone soli, and a powerful, brass-driven shout chorus. Q: What is the performance duration and tempo feel of the chart? A: The arrangement is written in a comfortable, driving medium-swing feel that typically runs between 3.5 to 4.5 minutes in performance length, depending on the length of the open solo section.