Witchcraft (D.Tanner)

Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh’s timeless 1957 classic “Witchcraft” occupies a premier tier within the Great American Songbook, forever immortalized by Frank Sinatra’s iconic 1958 Capitol recording. Representing the pinnacle of mid-century cool and sophisticated vocal jazz, the tune blends an infectious, finger-snapping harmonic framework with a sultry, seductive lyrical narrative. Its enduring appeal as a premier jazz standard stems from its deceptively simple AABA form, which conceals sophisticated chord progressions that have invited generations of master improvisers to reinterpret its melodic contours. Dave Tanner’s dynamic big band adaptation captures the swanky, high-energy essence of the Sinatra-Count Basie era while infusing the chart with fresh, contemporary harmonic color and brass pyrotechnics. Set in a driving medium-up swing feel at roughly 132 beats per minute, the arrangement opens with a provocative, muted trumpet and low-reed intro that immediately establishes a mysterious, captivating atmosphere. The mood swings effortlessly between sultry, intimate vocal delivery and explosive, brass-driven power surges. Tanner utilizes rich extended voicings in the saxophone section and punchy, episodic shout choruses that evoke the classic Nelson Riddle and Billy May aesthetics, creating a sophisticated tension-and-release dynamic that keeps both performers and audiences thoroughly engaged. Vocalist and instrumentalists alike will find plenty of artistic nourishment within the 44 pages of this comprehensive 19-instrument publication, which features a full conductor score alongside individual parts for vocal soloist, five saxophones (with double woodwind cues where appropriate), four trumpets, four trombones, and a four-piece rhythm section. The arrangement opens up for a sparkling improvised solo section—ideally suited for tenor saxophone or piano—over standard blowing changes before driving toward a blistering, full-ensemble shout chorus. Technical challenges primarily center on tight, articulation-sensitive ensemble phrasing, stylistic swing subdivision at a brisk tempo, and maintaining a delicate balance between the vocal soloist and the roaring brass section during dynamic peaks. Advanced high school, collegiate, and professional big bands will discover that this chart hits the "sweet spot" of repertoire programming: it is intellectually and technically satisfying for seasoned players while remaining thoroughly accessible to audiences. The clever interplay between rhythm section punctuations and sweeping sax solis ensures that every section of the ensemble shares the spotlight, making it an absolute showstopper for formal concerts, festival adjudications, or vocal-feature sets. Executing Dave Tanner’s chart successfully requires careful attention to articulation and stylistic consistency across all sections. The tempo should remain locked at a steady, pulsing medium swing (approx. quarter note = 132); avoid rushing during dynamic swells. Horn players should utilize crisp, short-duration staccatos on unaccented eighth notes, ensuring the swing eighths remain bouncy rather than overly dragged or perfectly straight. The rhythm section is the engine: the pianist should lean into sparse, comping chord stabs on beats two and four, while the bassist walks a driving quarter-note line with subtle ghost notes on the off-beats. For special effects, trumpet and trombone sections should employ cup or bucket mutes where indicated in the intro to create an authentic vintage texture, executing smooth falls and doits with stylistic restraint. During rehearsal, isolate the ensemble's dynamic peaks in the shout chorus to balance the brass against the sax soli lines, ensuring the vocal soloist is never masked by over-enthusiastic background figures. Q: What instrumentation and parts are included in this publication? A: This arrangement is scored for a standard 19-instrument big band, including a vocal soloist, 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, 1 baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums, accompanied by a complete 44-page conductor score. Q: What is the difficulty level of this arrangement? A: This chart is graded as advanced intermediate to advanced, making it ideal for proficient high school jazz ensembles, collegiate bands, and professional groups seeking a sophisticated vocal feature. Q: What is the historical style and feel of this arrangement? A: It is arranged in a classic medium-up swing style (approx. 132 BPM), drawing heavy stylistic inspiration from the swinging vocal-and-big-band collaborations of the late 1950s. Q: What makes Dave Tanner's arrangement unique compared to standard stock charts? A: Tanner infuses the classic Cy Coleman tune with clever harmonic reinventions, intricate sax solis, a sultry muted intro, and a blazing shout chorus that balances vintage Sinatra-esque swagger with modern big band punch. Q: What is the performance duration of the piece? A: At the recommended tempo of 132 BPM with an open solo section and full head arrangement, the performance duration is approximately 3.5 to 4 minutes.