Sidewinder by Lee Morgan Concert Band - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1405543

'The Sidewinder' is a 1964 album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, recorded in New Jersey, U.S. It was released on the Blue Note label and the title track is perhaps Morgan's all-around best-known composition; it would go on to become a jazz standard and was additionally released as a single, entering the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1965. Morgan recorded the track with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Barry Harris, double bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins. The album became Blue Note's best-selling record ever, breaking the previous sales record and saving the label from near bankruptcy. Record producer Michael Cuscuna recalls the unexpected success: "the company issued only 4,000 copies upon release. Needless to say, they ran out of stock in three or four days. And 'The Sidewinder' became a runaway smash." The title track was used as the music in a Chrysler television advertisement during the 1965 Baseball World Series, without Morgan's permission; he threatened to sue, Chrysler agreed not to show the advertisement again and settled the case. This arrangement has been adapted from the jazz ensemble version by Mark Taylor, retaining solos for alto sax and trumpet, although an optional cut can be taken if necessary to skip these.