Oh, Lady Be Good: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$57.00 USD

Oh, Lady Be Good: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Oh, Lady Be Good: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51904
Price: 57.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin / arr. Scott Ragsdale

Grade: 3

Item: 00-51904

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$57.00

Shipped

One moment…

A terrific Gershwin song for your female vocalist. The vocal range is from G below middle C to third-line B-flat. The lead trumpet range is to written high B-flat. This chart flows very well and will be a hit for your vocalist and the ensemble. Tempo is around 98 in cut time. Highly recommended. (3:30)

Oh, Lady Be Good: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

Series: Jazz Vocal Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-7747-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7747-3

UPC: 038081599649

SKU: 00-51904

More about this title

About the Composer: George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898-1937) changed American music by bringing jazz idioms into concert hall settings with unprecedented sophistication. His gift for melody and harmonic innovation made him one of the most performed composers of the 20th century, and his work remains central to both classical and jazz repertoires.

Gershwin's collaboration with his brother Ira, a lyricist of equal brilliance, produced some of the Great American Songbook's most enduring standards. For music educators, Gershwin's catalog offers students access to music that bridges classical training and authentic jazz language, making his compositions invaluable for ensemble development and cultural literacy.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Scott Ragsdale's arrangement captures the song's infectious charm while giving your vocalist a genuinely singable range (G below middle C to third-line B-flat) that sits comfortably without strain. The trumpet section has room to shine without overshadowing the lead, and the tempo around 98 in cut time keeps the energy bright without rushing the jazz phrasing.

What to expect

Elegant and playful in equal measure. The song has the hallmark Gershwin sophistication in its harmony, but the arrangement's relaxed swing invites the vocalist and ensemble to have genuine fun together. There's a timeless quality here; this feels as fresh now as it did a century ago.

Who it's for

This arrangement works for jazz ensembles at the high school level and above with a capable female vocalist who sings with confidence and understands swing phrasing. It's ideal for directors seeking a Gershwin standard that showcases both vocalist and ensemble without excessive technical demands.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the vocal with ensemble dynamics by keeping the horn backgrounds conversational rather than competitive. The arrangement flows best when the band supports rather than dominates.
Shape the vocal line with subtle space between phrases. Jazz singing thrives on space and swing; resist the urge to fill every rest.
Lock the rhythm section (bass and drums) on the cut-time pulse. A grounded foundation makes the soloist's freedom over the top feel intentional rather than uncertain.
Bring articulation clarity to the trumpet section, especially in the higher passages. Crisp attacks help the lead trumpet cut through without excessive volume.

How to use it

Program this as a set-closer or a mid-set mood shift on a jazz concert where you want to highlight your vocalist. It pairs well with other jazz standards from the Great American Songbook and works equally in concert or festival settings. The 3:30 duration makes it manageable within a tightly paced program.