GERSHWIN BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT is a collection of 11 songs arranged for the instrumentalist wanting to play in a jazz style--without the need to learn to improvise. The "classically" trained amateur or professional performer, or the intermediate-level (III-IV) student, will enjoy playing these expertly-arranged Gershwin melodies just for fun, or to include as a "light" piece on a recital or solo-feature concert performance. The ballads, medium-tempo, and up-tempo swing tunes are arranged in a play-through of the melody, followed by a written-out "variation" chorus, a return to the melody, and an ear-catching ending. The piano, bass, and drum accompaniment CD will put you right in the band. The CD includes both the solo instrument with the accompaniment track and an accompaniment alone track for each selection.

The inexperienced performer can learn the appropriate style of playing and be comfortable playing in the jazz style before playing along with the rhythm section track. All of the books are for the most part compatible, with only minimal changes in the "variation" section to accommodate ranges (sometimes including octave options) and unique characteristics of the instruments The three-line piano accompaniment book provides a rhythmic "comping" with chord voicings written out, plus the flute part to help in following the soloist, or even for the piano to take a chorus. For the jazzer, here is a chance to learn Gershwin tunes and explore playing ballads and the swing style of popular standards. Chord symbols are included to allow for improvisation. In combining his jazz-keyboard chops, his 25 years as a band director, and his superb composing and arranging skills, Carl Strommen presents a fully-playable, exciting, and tastefully-arranged collection of these immortal and memorable Gershwin titles:

Songs I GOT RHYTHM BUT NOT FOR ME EMBRACEABLE YOU A FOGGY DAY FASCINATING RHYTHM I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU S'WONDERFUL HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME STRIKE UP THE BAND