Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler

Manhattan

Manhattan was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1957, for the Verve album 'Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook'. The original Buddy Bregman arrangement was scored for strings, and orchestral woodwing (flutes, oboes, clarinets), harp, tuned percussion and a rhythm section. Our version uses the same counter-melodic lines as the original, but scored for a regular 5/4/4/4 big band instead, with the Saxes and Trombones taking most of the original string lines. The chart is very easy, with limited brass ranges (Trumpets only up to G on stave, and Trombones to F). The Rhythm parts are all written out, though your players can improvise their lines based on the given chords instead. Alto 1 doubles Clarinet, though the part has a non-double option too, printed on the reverse. The vocal is 'as sung' by Ella, in the key of Bb.