Man I Love

This Leroy Holmes arrangement of the Brothers Gershwins' The Man I Love was recorded by the Harry James Orchestra in 1946. It serves as a good showcase for how James, in the twilight years of the classic big band era, was willing to take artistic risks in spite of potential financial side effects. Things begin with a vaguely Spanish-sounding brass fanfare, followed by a brief bebop-inspired call and response between the saxes and trumpets. The initial A section of the melody occurs with the horns playing rhythmic unison at measure 11, with a quick swell setting up a key change for a James trumpet solo at measure 27. He plays for a full chorus with just rhythm section accompaniment before the saxes and strings join in for backgrounds at measure 91. The sax figures are simple rhythmic riffs, contrasting with a legato, unison line in the strings. James yields the spotlight back to the band at measure 107, where the saxes handle the melody on the bridge with some minor brass interjections along the way. The brass steal the melody away at measure 115, while the saxes provide some simple harmonic pads underneath. A tom-tom-propelled riff sets up another key change at measure 135, this time allowing the string section a moment to shine with the melody. All horn backgrounds should be reined in at this point, not just to account for the softer strings, but to make the full horn section's re-entrance at measure 147 all the more impactful. Yet another key change occurs at measure 151, just in time for a 16 measure sax soli. A roaring brass fanfare lays the groundwork for an alto sax solo at measure 167 before one more key change for the finale at measure 183. The trombones handle the melody around the singing saxes, trumpets and strings before James returns to remind everyone who's boss at measure 191. The saxes play a swiftly modulating figure, followed by a low brass growl that sets up the final screaming trumpet blast. Tenor saxophone 1 doubles on clarinet and tenor saxophone 2 doubles on baritone saxophone and clarinet. An alternate part is included that avoides the baritone saxophone double. This publication has been based on the original pencil score - this is not a transcription.