Fascinating Rhythm: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the swagger and sophistication of Gershwin's original without sacrificing the melody's irresistible appeal. The harmonic language stays true to the source while remaining entirely singable across mixed voices, and the recorded accompaniment lets singers lock into authentic jazz-inflected groove that elevates a standards arrangement into genuine performance.

Sophisticated fun. The opening gesture is pure energy—syncopated, bright, and immediately engaging—while the harmonic palette keeps things interesting beneath the cheerful exterior. There's an elegance here that comes from writers who understood both popular and concert traditions.

Choirs comfortable with jazz-inflected rhythms and looking for repertoire that connects with audiences. This arrangement works equally well in concert settings and casual performances where familiarity and style matter as much as virtuosity.

• Keep the rhythm section feel light and bouncy rather than heavy; Gershwin's syncopation needs space to breathe, so resist the urge to square off the backbeat.
• Balance melody against supporting voices carefully during the key sections; Hayes's voicing creates natural inner-part lines that should sing through without dominating the tune.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the style and harmonic context early in rehearsal so singers understand the jazz idiom they're working in.

Position this as a concert centerpiece or closer where you want the audience to leave smiling and energized. It pairs well with other American standards or with contemporary pop arrangements that share similar groove-based sensibilities, creating a program section that feels cohesive and modern without being dated.

• Singing syncopated rhythms within a jazz harmonic context
• Locking into an accompaniment track with specific rhythmic feel and groove
• Balancing melody and harmony across mixed voices in a chromatic, non-functional harmonic environment
• Interpreting stylistic markings that call for articulation and rhythmic precision in popular music