Shiny Stockings Combo Arrangement

Bill Fulton created this Shiny Stockings combo arrangement in 2004 for Jazz Tap Ensemble. The project adapted Frank Foster’s enduring jazz composition for a smaller instrumental ensemble and a performance setting centered on jazz and rhythm tap.

“Shiny Stockings” has long been associated with the Count Basie Orchestra. Composer and saxophonist Frank Foster wrote the tune while working with Basie, and it became one of Foster’s best-known compositions. The National Endowment for the Arts discusses Foster’s career, his work with Count Basie, and the history of “Shiny Stockings.”

Arrangement for Jazz Tap Ensemble

Jazz Tap Ensemble commissioned Bill Fulton to arrange the piece for combo. The group combined live jazz musicians with rhythm tap dancers, so its repertoire connected instrumental jazz performance directly with movement and rhythmic interaction.

Accordingly, arranging for this type of ensemble requires a different approach from writing for a conventional big band. A combo has fewer instrumental voices available. Therefore, each part carries more responsibility for harmony, rhythmic definition, accompaniment, and ensemble character. At the same time, the smaller setting can leave more space for the natural swing and rhythmic detail of the music.

For this 2004 project, Fulton brought his background as a jazz arranger to a composition closely identified with the Basie tradition. “Shiny Stockings” offers a strong foundation for that kind of treatment because of its memorable melody, sophisticated harmony, and relaxed swing character.

Bill Fulton Jazz Arranging

This arrangement forms part of Fulton’s broader body of professional arranging and orchestration work. His credits include music for combos, little big bands, big bands, vocalists, string ensembles, show bands, and orchestras. Many projects have required adapting existing material to fit a particular group of musicians or a specific performance situation.

You can explore additional projects on Bill Fulton’s arranging, composing, and orchestration credits page. That portfolio includes work for recording artists, touring performers, jazz ensembles, educational groups, and other professional clients.

If you need a custom jazz arrangement for combo, horns, little big band, big band, or another ensemble, contact Bill Fulton Music to discuss instrumentation and project requirements.

Year: 2004
Job Category: Arranger
Title: Shiny Stockings
Ensemble: combo
Client: Jazz Tap Ensemble
Description: Jazz Tap Ensemble
Get arrangement: link to arrangement (pending)