Poor Butterfly

A String Bass Feature In Memory of Ray Brown. Poor Butterfly is a straight ahead medium but hard swingin' chart (quarter note=175) that features the string bass playing the melody and soloing. It was inspired by Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly and has a brief musical quote in it. It was published in 1916 and used in the Broadway show The Big Show and in the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1967 with Julie Andrews. Bassist Ray Brown included Poor Butterfly on his 1960 record 'Jazz Cello'. Hearing Ray gave me the idea to arrange this for bass and mini band. On the recording 'Jazz Cello' Mr. Brown played the melody and soloed on cello. My version has the melody written for string bass including the solo in concert B flat. This chart has a fresh and challenging approach to it. The string bass player must know how to read notes because of the syncopated written melody. Also, bass solo chops are required. It is really a great piece to show off the bass player's musical ability. There is also a piano solo included with an optional trumpet and/or tenor sax solo. Poor Butterfly is for mini big band, 2 tpts, 1 t-bone, 3 saxes, piano, string bass, guitar, and drums. All sections have challenging parts. There is a great tutti section. This chart is a real crowd pleaser and will enhance any jazz concert.