Do It The Hard Way (from Pal Joey): Choral Instrumental Pak

Paris Rutherford's swing setting captures the acidic charm of Hart's original while giving your singers real material to sink their teeth into. The arrangement balances solo opportunities with tight ensemble moments, so whether you're featuring one strong vocalist or rotating soloists, this works. Jazz bands and choirs rarely get to share the same stage; this piece makes that collaboration feel natural and rewarding.

Sophisticated and slightly world-weary, with the kind of melodic beauty that makes you understand why this song lasted nearly a century. The swing setting keeps things light and propulsive, but Hart's lyrics carry an edge of romantic realism that keeps sentimentality at bay. You're not belting optimism here; you're delivering something smarter and more human.

Choirs with jazz experience or intermediate vocal jazz ensembles that want to program a Broadway standard with real swing credentials. This also works beautifully as a bridge piece for concert choirs dipping into the jazz repertoire. Soloists in competitive festivals will find the material both challenging and showcasing.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the ensemble hits; they're small but they need to land together. Sloppy articulation on quarter-note riffs undermines the whole swing feel.
• Let your soloist(s) find their own phrasing within the form. Hart's lyric rewards singers who play with time and emphasis, so rehearse the head straight first, then give room for interpretation.
• Balance the jazz rhythm section so the drums and bass anchor things without overwhelming the singers. The piano and guitar should lock together and sit behind the vocal line, not compete with it.

Pair this with other mid-century standards to create a focused jazz set within a larger concert, or use it as your opener to set a urbane, stylish tone for the evening. It also functions well as a feature for a jazz showcase or as part of a Broadway retrospective focused on the craftsmanship of golden age songwriting. At about 3 minutes 25 seconds, it's the right length to stand on its own without feeling like filler.

• Swing eighth-note interpretation and feel
• Jazz phrasing and lyrical interpretation
• Ensemble rhythmic precision with syncopated rhythms
• Solo vocal improvisation within a jazz standard form
• Blend and balance with a jazz rhythm section
• Interpretation of sophisticated song lyrics with emotional subtext