George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin / arr. Nelson Riddle

Serving as one of jazz's longtime go-to vehicles for improvisation, George and Ira Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" receives an outstanding and unique treatment from Nelson Riddle for Ella Fitzgerald's 1959 album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book." Those expecting to hear a typically bright and chipper melody statement are in for a surprise at the start, as Riddle's arrangement features an almost Aaron Copland inspired orchestral introduction featuring a call and response between trumpet and flute; said trumpet and flute solos should be approached with an almost orchestral interpretation. Riddle's arrangement takes advantage of the oft-neglected verse beginning at measure 5, with Fitzgerald offering up a slow rubato interpretation with lush accompanying textures from the woodwinds and strings. Halfway through the verse, the tempo kicks in beginning at measure 19, culminating with the iconic melody's entrance at measure 29. Riddle cleverly crafts a series of ensemble breaks around Fitzgerald's melody statements during this part of the arrangement. The backgrounds throughout this section are, appropriately, simple but heavily syncopated, never exceeding a medium volume level. Fitzgerald gets a chance to flex her scat muscles beginning at measure 61, where she solos over a delightful ensemble shout that references but never outright repeats the melody.
Fitzgerald's scatting comes to a close at measure 77, where she resumes singing the melody. The volume level drops back down, but the intensity from the shout section should remain intact. The arrangement gradually rebuilds in volume, finally hitting full power at measure 100, with Fitzgerald getting one final break before the final ensemble hit. This arrangement is for studio orchestra with female vocal soloist. This is not a transcription - it has been prepared from Nelson Riddle's original pencil score. The vocal key modulated from C to Db. An optional synthesizer part is included that may be used in place of the strings. There are flute and clarinet doubles in the woodwind section

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