Over The Rainbow (D.Wolpe)

Dave Wolpe's exquisite big band arrangement of Harold Arlen's timeless standard "Over The Rainbow" presents a captivating jazz vocal feature, meticulously crafted for a full 17-piece ensemble. This medium-difficulty chart is an ideal selection for both professional big bands and advanced scholastic jazz programs seeking a sophisticated yet accessible addition to their repertoire. The arrangement maintains a ballad tempo with a gentle swing feel, allowing the vocalist ample space for expressive interpretation while supported by Wolpe's signature rich harmonic voicings and lyrical countermelodies in the saxophone and brass sections. The harmonic language is firmly rooted in classic jazz, offering a balance of traditional chord progressions with tasteful reharmonizations that enhance the emotional depth of the original melody. The arrangement for "Over The Rainbow" features a standard big band instrumentation of 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, Bass Trombone, Guitar, Piano, Bass, and Drums.