Singin' with the Jazz Combo: Vocal Part Book

Wolpe's arrangements strike the rare balance between authenticity and accessibility. Each chart respects the standards' harmonic and melodic integrity while giving a small combo the sonic weight and character of a much larger ensemble. Your vocalist gets genuine swing writing that doesn't demand a 20-piece orchestra.

These arrangements breathe with the ease and charm of a classic nightclub set. The writing balances lush harmonic sophistication with genuine swing feel, giving each standard room to shine without unnecessary complication. Your vocalist becomes the centerpiece while the combo provides animated, responsive support.

Solo vocalists working with small jazz combos or singers who need professional arrangements beyond piano and bass. This collection suits jazz programs building a recital or concert program, vocalists in college jazz ensembles, and community bands or orchestras adding a vocal feature to a performance.

• Establish clear communication between your vocalist and the rhythm section early in rehearsal. The piano and bass lock the harmonic foundation; your singer's phrasing should float over, not against, their pocket.
• Work the horn section's cues with precision. Conductor cues in the trumpet and reed parts ensure the combo stays unified, especially during head-out passages and shout choruses.
• Shape each song's dynamics across the full range of tempos and styles. The collection moves from the balladic vulnerability of 'When I Fall in Love' to the driving energy of 'Straighten Up and Fly Right.' Each requires its own approach to sustain engagement.
• Encourage your guitarist and pianist to find their own voice within the harmony. These voicings leave room for individual comping choices, which deepens the ensemble's interactive energy.

Feature one song as a concert highlight when you need a change of pace from instrumental features, or program the entire collection as a vocal showcase in a jazz or pops concert. The variety in styles and tempos means you can pull individual selections to complement other repertoire without needing to use all ten.

• Phrasing jazz standards with appropriate rhythmic flexibility and swing interpretation
• Balancing solo vocal line with ensemble comping and harmonic movement
• Communicating intention and dynamics across a live small ensemble
• Understanding swing harmony and how melody sits within jazz voicings
• Interpreting conductor cues and responding to rhythm section pocket