Too Close For Comfort (B.Holman)

Jerry Bock, George David Weiss, and Larry Holofcener originally penned "Too Close for Comfort" for the 1956 Broadway musical *Mr. Wonderful*, where it was introduced by Sammy Davis Jr. It swiftly transitioned into the core jazz canon, embraced by instrumentalists and vocalists alike during the hard bop and cool jazz eras. Bill Holman’s sophisticated, harmonically adventurous conception laid the structural groundwork for modern big band writing, merging West Coast counterpoint with driving East Coast punch. Terry Gibbs, the legendary vibraphonist renowned for his high-octane big bands, took Holman’s brilliant framework and supercharged it with an irrepressible, swinging kinetic energy. This chart operates at a brisk, driving medium-up swing tempo, maintaining an infectious, high-voltage momentum from the first downbeat. The emotional landscape is buoyant, sophisticated, and relentlessly joyful, driven by razor-sharp ensemble hits and a luminous harmonic palette that balances classic bebop tension with luminous West Coast voicings. Holman's arrangement style, brilliantly championed in Gibbs' library, heavily features intricate, interlocking horn lines, dense chromatic voice-leading, and blistering full-ensemble shout choruses that test a band's articulation and stamina. The saxophones function as a hyper-agile unit capable of executing rapid, harmonically rich solis, while the brass section interjects with crisp, punchy staccato blasts and soaring upper-register counterlines. The rhythm section is tasked with maintaining an unyielding, feather-light swing feel, anchoring the dense architectural counterpoint without ever bogging down the forward momentum. Performance-wise, this chart demands exceptional technical command across all sections, making it best suited for advanced college ensembles, premier community big bands, and professional organizations. The melody is initially introduced through tightly knit section writing before opening up for inspired improvised solo rotations—traditionally featuring tenor saxophone and vibraphone or piano. The primary technical challenges lie in executing the lightning-fast bebop line unisons, maintaining immaculate intonation through extended altered dominants, and keeping a cohesive articulation style across the entire ensemble during rapid dynamic shifts. Conductors should establish a crisp, driving medium-up swing tempo right out of the gate, ensuring the rhythm section avoids any tendency to drag or rush the triplets. The primary technical hurdle rests in the precision required for the fast, interlocking chromatic passages; ensemble members must spend dedicated rehearsal time isolating these figures at a slower tempo before bringing them up to performance speed. Pay close attention to articulation markings, keeping short notes exceptionally dry and accented notes rich with core sound rather than forced volume. The brass section should balance their volume during counterlines so as not to obscure the saxophone soli passages. Rehearsals should focus heavily on section blend and internal time, particularly during the transition into the shout chorus where dynamic contrast and rhythmic exactness will make or break the chart's explosive impact. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this 48-page arrangement? A: This arrangement is scored for a specialized 8-instrument big band instrumentation, featuring Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and a complete rhythm section foundation. Q: What is the difficulty level of this Terry Gibbs arrangement of "Too Close For Comfort"? A: This chart is pitched at an advanced level, making it ideal for skilled college ensembles, professional jazz orchestras, and advanced community big bands with strong sight-reading and technical capacities. Q: What is the musical style and historical context of this piece? A: Rooted in the 1956 Broadway standard, this chart channels the high-energy West Coast-meets-bebop big band style popularized by Terry Gibbs' celebrated orchestras, utilizing Bill Holman's iconic sophisticated harmonic language. Q: What makes this specific arrangement unique? A: It combines Bill Holman’s genius for intricate linear counterpoint and dense voicings with Terry Gibbs' signature high-octane drive, resulting in a uniquely buoyant yet harmonically rich take on a classic standard. Q: What is the approximate performance duration and tempo feel? A: The arrangement is built around a brisk, driving medium-up swing feel in 4/4 time, typically clocking in around 3 to 4 minutes depending on the length of the improvised solo rotations.