Here's That Rainy Day (arr. John Wasson): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Wasson's arrangement respects the melancholic elegance of this standard while crafting something that sits naturally in the jazz ensemble idiom. The solo section features offer genuine opportunities for player growth without overshadowing the beauty of the tune itself, making this an arrangement that serves both pedagogical and musical goals simultaneously.

This arrangement settles into the quiet introspection of a rainy afternoon, with the kind of unhurried swing that lets every harmonic movement breathe. The soloists emerge from the ensemble texture like voices joining a conversation, and the overall effect is sophisticated without feeling cold or academic.

Jazz ensembles in the intermediate to early advanced range looking for standard repertoire with real substance. Directors seeking ballad material that teaches swing feel, section blend, and solo accompaniment skills without requiring advanced technical facility.

• Establish the swing feel early in rehearsal by having the rhythm section lock in the ballad groove first; this patience pays off when brass enters with the melody.
• Shape the opening statements with rubato, allowing the melody to breathe before settling into steady swing.
• Balance the trumpet and tenor sax solos carefully during section rehearsals so each voice carries equal weight and clarity when performed together.
• Use the dynamic range available in a ballad tempo to create contrast between softer ensemble moments and fuller solo sections.

Pair this with uptempo swing charts to showcase your ensemble's dynamic range across a single set. It's ideal for a program segment exploring American standards, or as a palate cleanser between energetic pieces where your students can demonstrate musical maturity and restraint.

• Ballad swing feel and rubato within strict harmonic structure
• Blend and balance in a small-group ensemble texture
• Trading solos with accompaniment from section mates
• Phrasing standards vocabulary across trumpet and tenor saxophone
• Dynamic control in slower tempos