Moon Dreams

Here is Gil Evans' arrangement of the Johnny Mercer/Chummy MacGregor standard Moon Dreams engraved from the manuscript (this is not a transcription). This is a brilliant arrangement full of color and orchestral nuance. In fact, it's quite astounding at the layers and depth of sound Gil Evans was able to achieve with just 8 instruments (there's no piano in this arrangement). The harmonies and the rhythms are very sophisticated and impressionistic. This piece has been arranged for alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, horn in F, trombone, tuba, bass, drums. Recognizing that not every band has access to a horn, there is a second trumpet part as an alternate for the horn part. A bass trombone would easily be able to play the tuba part in the event you don't have that instrument at your disposal. This piece features a brief baritone sax solo (as played by Gerry Mulligan) that has been written out in full, although chords have been indicated for an ad lib solo. The last part of the arrangement features arco bass. This classic, Gil Evans' masterpiece redefined jazz and popular music arranging and should be a part of every band's library.