You – Bob Brookmeyer & Judy Niemack

This sunny swing is modest and sweet, but the repeated modulations in the melody gives it a spark of energy that makes it unique. Bob Brookmeyer's instrumental title, Hum, is a good description of the melody—it centers around one note that returns many times for eight bars, then modulates up a half step four times during the head.

This piece is very adaptable to any kind of arrangement—it would be a convincing samba, for example. Judy's recording begins with an instrumental introduction that, like the melody, centers around one note. When Judy comes in with the verse, the introduction continues as a background voice under the melody, adding rhythmic punctuation. After one time through the head, the flugelhorn improvises over the solo changes. Each chorus of solo ends with a repeated, staccato pedal that gradually gets louder over eight bars; this adds natural intensity to the improvisation.

The two-chorus flugelhorn solo is followed by two more choruses of Judy's impeccable scatting, which is in turn followed by two choruses of guitar. Judy then comes in with the head out, this time with a new lyric. The piece comes to a close with a coda that repeats the first line of the song.

Lyric Description: This cheerful lyric describes the joy that comes from knowing that someone loves you. The joy is like a song or a feeling of warmth that reminds the singer of how special love is.

No-Vocal Version: The accompaniment-only version is almost the same as the recording, except that it only has two choruses of open solos. Because the instrumental introduction becomes the background voicing under the melody, it's important for the singer to count eight bars at the beginning in order to start the melody at the right place. Click on the Minus You tab to hear Judy's entrance as well as the Minus You version..

If another key would be better for you, send the key you'd like to Don and we'll post the transposition on the website for purchase. If you're not sure which key is best, send us your range and we'll work with you to figure out the best key.