St. Louis Blues - W. C. Handy Arranged By Victor Goines (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

St. Louis Blues - W. C. Handy Arranged By Victor Goines Page 2

ST. LOUIS BLUES

W. C. HANDY

Arranged by VICTOR GOINES

NOTES TO THE CONDUCTOR

William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873–March 28, 1958) was an African-American blues composer and musician, often known

as “the Father of the Blues.” Handy composed St. Louis Blues in 1914. Though the name of the song may imply that it is about events in

St. Louis, Missouri, it instead refers to a sophisticated woman from that city. The form is unusual in that the verses are the familiar standard

12-bar blues but it also has a 16-bar bridge written in the habañera rhythm, popularly called the “Spanish Tinge.” Handy said in writing

St. Louis Blues, his objective was “to combine ragtime syncopation with a real melody in the spiritual tradition.”

My arrangement features a traditional swing feel and a Latin rumba style. The drumset player should set up the rumba feel 2 or 3 beats prior

to the change in order to prepare the ensemble for the different feel. All Latin grooves are played with straight eighth notes. This contrast with

the swing eighths is a key element in this arrangement. The rhythmical essence of the rumba is an accented pattern of beats 1, the “and” of 2,

and 4, or it can be visualized as two dotted-quarter notes and a quarter note.

In the swing section for the rhythm section, the guitar should comp with a traditional quarter note feel. The guitar is of less importance

in the rumba style. The bass will provide the rumba rhythmic pattern as written. The pianist can embellish the comping in the rumba style,

but should keep it simple and coordinated with the bass pattern.

Soloists may play the suggested written solo or ad lib, but always play in the appropriate style.

For the ensemble, play the marcato, or rooftop (^), accent detached, but not staccato or clipped. Play the fall-off in measure 53 quickly. Section

players should mimic the lead player in a fall-off. The last two measures may be dictated to enhance the dramatic ending. The drummer may

fill over these chords if desired.

Please enjoy!

–Victor Goines

St. Louis Blues - W. C. Handy Arranged By Victor Goines Page 2