Foundations of Vocal Jazz: The Art of Re-imagining

1. Foundations of Vocal Jazz:The Art of Re-imagining The Music of Jon Hendricks (b.1921) and Gene Puerling (1929-2008) A Lecture/Performance by Gregory Amerind And the members of “Heatwave” Tuesday, December 4, 2012

2. “Charleston Alley” • 1947 Recording by Charlie Barnet Band • Performance by “Heatwave” - Darmon Meader adaptation from Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, • Music by Edgar Sampson, with vocalese lyrics by Jon Hendricks

3. “Try to Remember” • 1960 recording from original cast album of The Fantasticks, Jerry Orbach and cast • Performance by “Heatwave” of Gene Puerling arrangement for The Singers Unlimited • Music and Lyrics by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

4. Jon Hendricks “This is the only country in the world that systematically degrades its own cultural art form .“

5. Gene Puerling “the single most significant vocal group arranger of all time... in a class by himself. ” - Don Shelton, jazz musician and Puerling colleague (Very Innovative Person)

6. = Uniquely American

7. Vocal Jazz Ensemble • One person’s ideal • 12 Singers • Instrumental Trio • Optional Horn Section OR • Whatever works!

8. Vocal Jazz Ensemble Repertoire • Swing and Bebop • Pop, Rock or R & B • Latin, Funk, Fusion • Classical • Improvisational elements • Extended harmonies • Mimics the sound of instrumental groups

9. Midwestern Beginnings Toledo

10. Midwestern Beginnings - Gene • Mostly self-taught • Organized several vocal groups • Influenced by The Four Freshmen and others • Moved to LA in the early 1950s

11. The Hi-Lo’s! Gene Puerling, Bob Strassen (later Don Shelton) Bob Morse Clark Burroughs

12. Midwestern Beginnings • Musical culture • Traveling musicians • Neighbor Art Blakey • Jukebox Jonny • Vaudeville • Post-war meeting with “Bird” • New York-bound Toledo

13. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross • Dave Lambert (1917-1966) • Jon Hendricks (b. 1921) • Annie Ross (b. 1930)

14. Re-imagining Puerling – innovative harmony and rhythm

16. Re-imagining Hendricks – vocalese

17. AireginMusic by Sonny Rollins • Vocalese lyrics by Hendricks • Imitation of traditional jazz combo horn section • “Sax” solo by Hendricks

18. AireginMusic by Sonny Rollins

19. Heatwaveor McMahon, Foster & Jung • “Centerpiece” • Music by Harry “Sweets” Edison • Lyric by Jon Hendricks • Vocalese solo sung by Savanah McMahon

20. "Hey, see you cats down at the club!" "Not if we see you first!"

21. The Men of Heatwave • Georgia On My Mind • Music and Lyrics by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell • Arrangement by Gene Puerling • Tommy Strawser solo

22. Overdubbing – Part 1 • Both were pioneers in this method • “Sing a Song of Basie” 1957 • Early pre-stereo techniques

23. Heatwave • “Four Brothers” • Music by Jimmy Giuffre • Lyrics by Jon Hendricks • Vocal arrangement by Janis Seigal • Transcribed by Mark Mazur • Edited by Greg Amerind

24. Overdubbing – Part 2 • The Singers Unlimited 1970*-1985 • 8, 16, 24 track *Fool on the Hill demo recorded

25. The Singers Unlimited • 1972-1985 • Bonnie Herman • Gene Puerling • Len Drexler • Don Shelton • 14 Albums • Overdubbing on Steroids • Arrangements much more complex and vertically textured

26. The Singers Unlimited Typical Hi-Lo’s! chart (Excerpt from “Georgia On My Mind”)

27. The Singers Unlimited Typical Singers Unlimited chart (Excerpt from “Fool on the Hill”)

28. List of Known Gene Puerling charts still in Print**(24 out of 220+) • Fool on the Hill • Michelle • Yesterday • Here, There, and Everywhere • Autumn In New York • April In Paris • Am I Blue • Indian Summer • Try to Remember • A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square • Come Rain or Come Shine • On A Clear Day • We’ve Only Just Begun • My Ship / Where is Love? • Emily • Snowfall • Silent Night • Deck the Hall • Georgia On My Mind* • Dancing in the Dark* • Button Up Your Overcoat* • Rockin’ Chair* • The Shadow of Your Smile* • Small Fry* * Edited by Phil Mattson ** sources: Primarily A Cappella, (www.singers.com) & www.thehi-lo’s!.com

29. The Singers Unlimited April In Paris - excerpts Planing Chords

30. The Singers Unlimited April In Paris - excerpts Shifting Chords over Pedal

31. The Singers Unlimited April In Paris - excerpts Motif in Cm

32. The Singers Unlimited April In Paris - excerpts Return of Motif in Cm

33. Heatwave • April In Paris – arranged by Gene Puerling for The Singers Unlimited • Music and Lyrics by Vernon Duke & Yip Harburg • Published by Shawnee Press 1974 • Solos by Tommy Strawser and Savanah McMahon

34. Legacy • Manhattan Transfer • New York Voices • Take 6 • The Real Group • The Bobs • Phil Matson Singers • Vocalogy • mpact • Pacific Jazz & Electric • L.A. Jazz Choir • The New Swingle Singers • PLUS: Hundreds of High School, College and Semi-professional groups For an exhaustive list with links to their websites, visit www.singers.com

35. Heatwave • A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (excerpt) – arranged by Gene Puerling for The Manhattan Transfer Music and Lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and Manning Sherwin; Published by Hal Leonard, 1985 • Birdland Arrangement by The Manhattan Transfer and Paris Rutherford Music by Josef Zawinul Vocalese Lyrics to music as performed by “Weather Report” by Jon Hendricks Unpublished transcription by Greg Amerind

36. Thanks for Coming! • Acknowledgements • Questions and Answers