And the Angels Sing: Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Dave Wolpe's transcription captures the swagger and sophistication of the Benny Goodman orchestra's signature sound, complete with the vocal lyricism of Martha Tilton and Harry James's iconic trumpet solo. Your ensemble gets to inhabit a precise moment in jazz history while your vocalist builds both technical confidence and interpretive maturity. The score and parts are clearly laid out for rehearsal efficiency, and the medium-advanced difficulty sits perfectly for groups ready to step into real jazz repertoire.

Lush, sophisticated, and intimate despite the ensemble setting. The piece carries the elegance of a 1930s-40s ballroom, where orchestral accompaniment enhances rather than overwhelms the vocalist's storytelling. Warm brass voicings and walking rhythms create a sense of unhurried swing, while Harry James's trumpet solo adds a moment of virtuosic flair that's both confident and lyrical.

This arrangement suits vocalists with solid jazz intonation and interpretive instincts who are comfortable with the A-below-staff to B-flat range. Your jazz ensemble should have strong fundamentals in swing rhythm and voice leading. Directors seeking to program substantive jazz vocal literature alongside classical or pop solo repertoire will find this piece both musically rewarding and pedagogically rich.

• Balance the trumpet solo against the vocal line during rehearsal. The Harry James section should sit slightly forward in the mix, but the vocalist must remain the anchoring presence throughout the piece.
• Mark the vocal phrase lengths carefully. Martha Tilton's phrasing breathes naturally against the ensemble's walking rhythms; this isn't about strict metronomic precision but about narrative flow.
• Listen to the original Benny Goodman recording before your first rehearsal. The ensemble's rhythmic pocket and the specific swing feel are documented in the source material and worth internalizing before you begin sectionals.
• Work the ensemble voicings as a unit early. The lush harmonies support the vocal without overwhelming it, but this requires precise ensemble intonation and blend.

Feature this as a centerpiece in a jazz-focused concert or as part of a mixed vocal program alongside art songs and contemporary pieces. The 3:14 duration and medium-advanced difficulty make it an excellent capstone to a semester of ensemble work. Consider pairing it with other Mercer standards or Great American Songbook material to build a thematic concert around classic American songwriting.

• Swing phrasing and rhythmic precision in a jazz context
• Vocal intonation across a wide range within ensemble textures
• Jazz chord changes and harmonic awareness through listening and singing
• Interpreting historical recordings and translating style into ensemble performance
• Balance and blend in vocal-instrumental settings
• Reading and executing jazz articulation and dynamics