What Is This Thing Called Love?

AS RECORDED BY CHARLIE PARKER
ARRANGED BY JOE LIPMAN
This famous big band chart was arranged for Charlie Parker in 1951 by Joe Lipman. Lipman had previously worked with Parker on the his recordings with strings. This arrangement was recorded on March 25, 1952 in a studio on East 44th Street in New York. Featured on the recording were: Jimmy Maxwell, Carl Pool, Al Porcino, and Bernie Privin on trumpets; Bill Harris, Lou McGarity, Bart Varsalona on trombones; Charlie Parker, Harry Terrill, Murray Williams on alto saxophones; Flip Phillips and Hank Ross on tenor saxophones; Danny Bank on baritone saxophone; Oscar Peterson on piano; Freddie Green on guitar; Ray Brown on bass; and Don Lamond on drums.
This up-tempo chart - about 240 bpm - is a great alto sax feature. It could also be used as a trumpet or trombone feature as well. Featured are 8-bar solos for trumpet 2, trombone 2, and piano. There is also an open solo section on the form that could be opened up to allow for any number of soloists. Simple, melody-based solos were indicated in the original manuscript and have been included here. This arrangement has been engraved from the original manuscript - this is not a transcription. The ranges for trumpet 1 and trombone 1 are quite high; hence, it has been graded as advanced. There are no saxophone doubles. Unlike the Parker material with strings (with big band in a some cases) this arrangement is scored for standard big band instrumentation of lead alto, 2 altos (3 altos total), 2 tenors, 1 baritone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. The original manuscript called for 3 trombones, but it has been augmented to 4 to suit a standard big band. This would make a great closer or festival chart.
Ranges:
- Trumpet 1: to D6
- Trombone 1: to Cb5
Contents
Solo/Lead Alto Saxophone
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
1 Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones [4th Trombone Optional]
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drums