The Way You Look Tonight: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Jerome Kern / By Dorothy Fields / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00034702
$30.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Set in a happy swing tempo, this standard arranged by Kirby Shaw just brims with energy. The vibrant rhythms and full jazz harmonies complete the package. Instrumental ePak includes parts for Trumpet 1 2, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Guitar, Bass and Drums. Performance Time: Approx. 2:40
The Way You Look Tonight: Choral Instrumental Pak 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.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00034702
More about this title
About the Composer: Jerome Kern
Jerome Kern (1885-1945) shaped the American songbook through his work in musical theater and film during the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood. His compositions combined sophisticated harmonic language with memorable melodies that became standards, influencing how musicians approach jazz and popular song to this day.
Kern's enduring legacy rests on his ability to write music that works equally well in a concert hall or a small combo setting. For music educators, his standards offer rich harmonic material and clear melodic lines that reward careful listening and authentic interpretation.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the swagger of a swing-era tune without overcomplicating it for smaller instrumental groups. The writing sits comfortably on each instrument while maintaining genuine jazz harmony, making this a rare standard arrangement that sounds sophisticated without demanding virtuosity.
What to expect
Genuine warmth without sentimentality. The swing tempo creates forward motion and good humor, while the full harmonies give the tune substance and depth. You get that classic Hollywood elegance that audiences recognize immediately.
Who it's for
Jazz combos, wedding reception musicians, light concert ensembles, and programs pairing vocal and instrumental jazz repertoire. This works for groups with strong fundamentals in jazz feel but limited rehearsal time for complex big band charts.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the shuffle feel early in rehearsal; the rhythm section should establish the swing pocket before horns enter, preventing the tempo from flattening into straight eighths.
- Balance the three-horn texture by having trumpet and trombone support the tenor sax's natural brightness, especially during the head.
- Approach the chord changes with the articulation style of your rhythm section. If guitar and bass are clean and modern, horns can match that clarity; if they lean retro, add a touch of legato to your phrasing.
- Record a rehearsal and listen for places where the band drifts behind the beat. Swing standards live and die on rhythm section authority.
How to use it
Pair this with other Kern standards or Great American Songbook selections for a jazz-focused concert set. It also serves as an excellent encore or reception piece at formal events, where its 2:40 duration fits perfectly between longer concert works.
Skills your students will build
- Swing eighth-note feel and rhythmic accuracy in jazz style
- Jazz chord changes and harmonic navigation
- Ensemble balance and blend across three-horn texture
- Listening to and supporting the rhythm section
- Authentic interpretation of a classic standard