In a Mellow Tone was written by Duke Ellington and was a hit for his and Count Basie's Band. The Basie chart was scored by Frank Foster, and our version is closely modelled on this. It has the same length and structure as the Basie chart, but we have modified the sax soli to make it playable by us mortals, though the lead Trumpet still needs to hit high F. This chart is a Basie classic, and all five and a half minutes swing in the groove. We have written out a suitable opening Piano solo and another behind the later brass chorus, but your pianist can improvise if preferred. There is also an ad-lib Trombone solo written on the 1st Trombone part. The 4th Trombone is Bass. No sax doubles in this chart, and the live mp3 is courtesy of the Strayhorns big band.
