It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) Sheet Music Preview

It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Vocal Solo with Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Vocal Feature - Key of F

By Duke Ellington and Irving Mills / arr. Mike Carubia

Grade: 4 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)

Item: 00-PK-0002543
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Description
More Duke Ellington magic! This chart sells itself . . . the vocal group is just the frosting on the cake. The voice leadings are good and the band cooks along well. Look at this one! (2:36)

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Additional Details
Series: Jazz Vocal Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 226
SKU: 00-PK-0002543

More about this title

About the Composer: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington (1899–1974) composed over one thousand works across his lifetime, establishing himself as one of jazz's most prolific and influential voices. His compositional approach merged sophisticated harmonic language with the expressive possibilities of the jazz ensemble, creating music that worked equally well in concert halls and dance venues. Ellington's legacy rests not just on individual standards but on his entire body of work, which demonstrated that jazz could achieve the structural complexity and artistic depth of classical composition.

Why we love this

Carubia's arrangement captures everything that makes this Ellington classic sing: the voice line sits perfectly for a soloist, the ensemble writing crackles with smart voice leading, and the overall sound feels both sophisticated and accessible. Programming a jazz vocal with this kind of polish and energy gives your ensemble a genuine showstopper that audiences recognize immediately.

What to expect

Sophisticated and swinging. The arrangement has real harmonic color and voice leading that feels almost conversational, while the rhythm section propels everything forward with genuine groove. It's the kind of piece that makes audiences lean in and listen, then leaves them wanting an encore.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles with a confident vocalist and musicians who are comfortable with swing feel and section independence. This is repertoire for groups that have developed beyond playing everything straight and are ready to interpret jazz with genuine musicality.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the solo vocalist with the ensemble so the voice cuts through without overwhelming the section textures. The rhythm section and horn arrangement are doing important work beneath the melody.
  • Lock the rhythm section into a comfortable swing feel early in rehearsals. Once the groove is steady, the soloist will have the security needed to explore phrasing and interpret the lyric naturally.
  • Work the vocal line for conversational phrasing rather than metronomic precision. Jazz singing lives in the space between the beat, and this arrangement gives the soloist room to play with that relationship.
  • Shape the ensemble articulation consistently. Clear, unified tonguing in the horns and crisp note attacks from the rhythm section will make the arrangement shine without sounding mechanical.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a concert feature or as a centerpiece in a jazz vocal showcase. The length and energy level make it ideal for closing a first set or opening a finale, and it pairs naturally with other Ellington standards or with mid-century American songbook material.

Skills your students will build

  • Interpreting jazz swing articulation and phrasing in both solo and ensemble contexts
  • Reading and performing voice leading in jazz harmony
  • Coordinating a vocal soloist with an ensemble accompaniment
  • Executing consistent section blend and balance in a jazz texture
  • Communicating rhythmic feel and relaxed time through listening and ensemble awareness

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