Collection Summary
Billy May Arrangements
1939-1995
1939-1995
ML31.M214
May, Billy
approximately 200 items
16 containers
13.0 linear feet
English
Material in
English
Music Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Billy May (1916-2004) was an American arranger, composer, musician, and bandleader. The collection chiefly consists of holograph or photocopied manuscript scores, parts, lead sheets, and manuscript sketches. Additional materials include printed scores, part changes, film cues, and a handful of counterpoint exercises.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Barnet, Charlie.
May, Billy--Manuscripts.
May, Billy.
May, Billy.
May, Billy. Works. Selections.
Sinatra, Frank, 1915-1998.
Subjects
Arrangers (Musicians)--United States.
Big band music.
Motion picture music--Scores.
Music--Manuscripts--United States.
Popular music.
Television music--Scores.
Provenance
Gift, Doris May, 2005.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
Processing History
The Billy May Arrangements were re-processed by Christopher Hartten in 2010. The finding aid was coded for EAD by Christopher Hartten in November 2010.
Related Material
The [Ella Fitzgerald Collection] (ML31.F58) and [Charlie Barnet Collection of Big Band Arrangements] (ML31.B27) contain additional Billy May manuscript scores.
Copyright Status
The Billy May Arrangements are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Billy May Arrangements are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the
following information: [item, date, container number], Billy May Arrangements, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1916 November 10
Born in Pittsburgh to Isabel Stevenson and Ed May
1933
Arranges first work,
When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba
, while at Schenley High School
1936 October
Joins the Pittsburgh Local AFM and tours with the Etzi Covato band as a trombone player
1938
Meets Charlie Barnet and begins writing arrangements for him on a weekly basis, including the hit
Cherokee
1939 August
Charlie Barnet hires him to play trumpet with his band on a permanent basis
1940
1942
Joins the Glenn Miller band and delivers his first trumpet solo on
I Dreamt I Dwelt In Harlem
1944
Writes arrangements for Frank Sinatra's
Your Hit Parade
and for the Phil Harris band on
The Jack Benny Show
Begins career as a recording arranger/conductor
1944
1946
Plays on the
Red Skelton Show
under Ozzie Nelson and works with John Scott Trotter on Bing Crosby's
Kraft Music Hall
1946
1950s
Works with Alan Livingston at Capitol Records to produce recordings for children, including the hit tune
I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat
1950s
1960s
Arranges and records almost constantly for the music and entertainment industry's biggest names, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mercer, Mel Blanc, and Stan Freberg
Composes original soundtrack for the film
Sergeants Three
, as well as music for various television shows, such as
The Green Hornet
1953
1954
Abandons road touring and sells rights for the traveling Billy May Band to entrepreneur Ray Anthony
1958
Wins Grammy Award for best arrrangement for his album
Big Fat Brass
1959
Wins Grammy Award for best arrrangement for
Come Dance With Me
1969
1973
Produces arrangements for Time-Life documentaries
The Swing Era
and
As You Remember Them
1973
Marries Doris Ranson
2004 January 22
Dies in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Scope and Content Note
The Billy May Arrangements principally consist of holograph or photocopied manuscript scores, parts, lead sheets, and sketches for works created between 1939 and 1995. Additional materials include printed scores, part changes, film cues, and a handful of counterpoint exercises. Although May worked almost exclusively as an arranger for long periods throughout his career, he did compose original music, and several of these titles are represented in this collection.
I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat
,
Front Page Rag
, and his film score for
Sergeants Three
are notable examples. Titles and cross-references are arranged alphabetically and standardized according to Jack Mirtle's
The Music of Billy May: a Discography
(1998). Part sets are complete unless indicated otherwise.
Organization of the Billy May Arrangements
The Billy May Arrangements are organized in one series:
- Music, 1939-1995
Container List
Container
Contents
1-16
Music,
1939-1995
1939-1995
5/1
All of me
Score
1/1-2
All of me
Parts
5/2
Always
Score
5/3
Angel eyes
Score
For Nat King Cole
5/4
Aviation suite
Score
Other title: Wings over Manhattan
5/4
Aviation suite
Short score
5/5-6
Back Bay shuffle
Scores
For Artie Shaw
Multiple versions
1/3
Be my love
Score
5/7
The beat goes on
Score
For Charlie Barnet
5/8
Beer barrel polka
Score
5/9
Blonde again
Score
5/9
Blonde again
Lead sheet
5/10
Blue and all alone
Score
5/10
Blue and all alone
Lead sheet
Blue suede shoes
see
[My little suede shoes](bm05)
16/1
Blues medley
Score
16/1
Blues medley
Short score/sketch
5/11
Bouncing runners
Score
5/12
Call me
Score
For Charlie Barnet
5/13
Can't I
Score
5/14
Carnival
Score
For Harry James
16/2
Cartoon medley
Score
For the Boston Pops
16/2
Cartoon medley
Short score/sketch
5/15
Charmaine
Score
5/15
Charmaine
Parts
5/16
Cheek to cheek
Scores
Multiple versions
For Glenn Miller
5/17
Cherokee
Score
For Charlie Barnet
6/1
Chicago
Scores
6/1
Chicago
Parts
Laid in: wind and brass part changes
6/2
Children of the night
Score
6/3
Christmas medley
Short score/sketch
For the Boston Pops
6/4
Cocktails for two
Score
6/5-6
Come fly with me
Scores
For Frank Sinatra
6/6
Come fly with me
Piano-conductor score
6/7
Come rain or come shine
Score
6/7
Come rain or come shine
Horn-double bass score
6/7
Come rain or come shine
Wind and string parts
6/8
Come together
Score
For Charlie Barnet
1/4
Concentrate
Short score/sketch
6/9
Congratulate me
Score
For Jack Lemmon
6/10
Cool water
Score
6/11-12
Dance of the hours
Score
6/13
Dancing on the ceiling
Scores
6/13
Dancing on the ceiling
Parts
6/14
Dat dere
Score
Saxophone parts only
see also
[Studies and sketches](bm07)
6/15
Desert song
Score
Dichter und Bauer
see
[Poet and peasant](bm06)
6/16
Do nothin' 'till you hear from me
Score
For Diane Schuur
6/17
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?
Score
For the Canadian Brass
Laid in: optional parts and insertions
6/18
Don't be that way
Score
6/19
Easy street
Score
6/20
Easy to love
Score
For Diane Schuur
6/21
Ebb tide
Score
For Charlie Barnet
1/5
Es ist genug
Brass parts
7/1
Fat man boogie
Score
7/2
Filet of soul
Score
7/3
Finale--G minor symphony (Mozart)
Score
7/4
Fingers
Score
7/5
Five foot two
Scores
7/5
Five foot two
Wind parts
Laid in: wind part changes
Frank Sinatra medley
see
[Overture '88](bm01)
7/6
Frenesi
Score
7/7-8
Front page rag
Scores
Laid in: extra parts
From The Front Page (film, 1974).
1/6-9
Front page rag
Parts
Gin and tonic
see
[Ozzie's tune](bm03)
7/9
The girl from Ipanema
Score
For Charlie Barnet
1/10
A handful of stars
Scores
7/10
A hard day's night
Score
For Charlie Barnet
7/11
Hello out there, hello
Score
7/12
High noon
Score
7/13
Honest and truly
Score
7/14
How deep is the ocean?
Score
8/1
Huguette waltz
Score
8/2
Hungarian dance no. 5 (Brahms)
Score
8/3-4
I can't believe (you're in love with me)
Scores
Multiple versions
8/5
I concentrate on you
Score
8/6
I don't know where I'm goin' (but I'm glad you come along)
Score
Laid in: wind part changes
8/6
I don't know where I'm goin' (but I'm glad you come along)
Lyric sheets
8/7
I guess I'll have to change my plans
Score
8/7
I guess I'll have to change my plans
Parts
2/1
I taut I saw a puddy tat
Piano part
2/1
I taut I saw a puddy tat
Lead sheet
8/8
I'll see you again
Score
8/9
In the mood disco
Score
8/10
Italian street song
Score
8/11
It's easy to remember
Score
Arrangement by Gil Evans for the Billy May Orchestra
8/12
I've got you under my skin
Score
2/2
Joanna
Short score/sketch
8/13
Jornal do Brasil
Score
2/3
King David
Brass parts
2/4
A kiss to build a dream on
Score
8/14
Late, late show
Score
8/15
Lean baby
Score
2/5-6, 8/15
Lean baby
Parts
8/16
Little mo'
Short score/sketch
Film cue
Includes the tune "Unforgettable"
8/17
Long hair mambo
Score
8/18
Love is just around the corner
Score
8/19
Love wise
Score
8/19
Love wise
Parts
8/20
Lover
Score
9/1
Lover come back to me
Score
9/2
Lover come back to me
Parts
9/3
Lullaby in rhythm
Score
9/4
Lulu's back in town
Score
9/5
Mad about the boy
Score
9/6
The man I love
Score
9/7
March of the toys
Score
Final section of arrangement by Hynie Beau
9/8
Melody in F
Score
9/9
Michelle
Score
9/10
Miles behind
Score
9/11
Minuet (Paderewski)
Score
9/12
Minuet in G
Score
9/13
Moanin'
Score
9/14
Morning sunrise
Score
9/15
Music to watch girls by
Score
For Charlie Barnet
9/16
My last affair
Score
9/17
My little suede shoes
Score
Other title: Blue suede shoes
2/7
My old flame
Short score/sketch
10/1
My silent love
Score
10/1
My silent love
Parts
10/2
Nancy
Score
For Al Hirt
2/8
Nelson [i.e. D.D. Nelson] tunes
Lead sheets
Includes: "Chloe's song;" "Heard ya the first time;" "I'm back where I started;" "Once more won't hurt;" "Too soon for June"
10/3
Nova amor
Score
10/4
Nutty squirrels
Score
Other title: Uh! Oh!
10/5
Oh by jingo
Score
Laid in: wind part changes
2/9
Oh by jingo
Wind and brass parts
10/6
Old Cayucos
Score
10/6
Old Cayucos
Lead sheet
2/10
Old gold--Theme
Piano score
10/7
One kiss
Score
10/8
Opportunity rag
Score
10/8
Opportunity rag
Lead sheet
2/11
Opus one
Score
10/9
Orchids
Score
10/10
Overture '88
Score
For Frank Sinatra
Other title: Frank Sinatra medley
Includes: "All of nothing at all;" "Getting sentimental;" "Without a song"
10/10
Overture '88
Piano-conductor score
11/1
Ozzie's tune
Score
Other title: Gin and tonic
11/2
Panama
Score
Laid in: wind part changes
2/12-13
Panama
Parts
Laid in: wind and brass part changes
11/3
Perfidia
Score
11/3
Perfidia
Parts
11/4
Persian market
Score
Laid in: wind part changes
3/1-2
Persian market
Parts
11/5
Pick yourself up
Score
11/6
Playboy's theme
Score
11/7-8
Poet and peasant
Score
Other title: Dichter und Bauer
11/9
The preacher
Score
11/10
Pretty playthings
Score
11/10
Pretty playthings
Lead sheet
11/11
Purple
Score
For Frank Sinatra
Laid in: optional parts
11/11
Purple
Condensed score
11/12
Quiet hours
Score
11/13
Reunion song
Score
From American Reunion (film, 1976)
Laid in: film scenario cues and miscellaneous piano-vocal scores
11/14
Riverboat shuffle
Score
11/15
Rose Marie
Score
12/1
Santa Lucia
Score
12/2
Say it isn't so
Score
4/1-2
Say it isn't so
Parts
12/3
The second chase
Score
12/4
Serenade--Student Prince
Score
12/5-7
Sergeants Three (film, 1962)
Short scores
12/8
The setting sun
Score
For Ella Fitzgerald
12/8
The setting sun
Piano-conductor score
4/3
The shadow of your smile
Score
4/3
The shadow of your smile
Short score/sketch
12/9
She didn't say yes
Score
12/10
The sheik of Araby
Score
13/1
Shiny stockings
Score
13/2
Silvery cloud
Score
13/3-4
Skyliner
Scores
Multiple versions
13/5
Softly, as I leave you
Score
13/6
Solving the riddle
Score
13/6
Solving the riddle
Parts
13/7
The song is you
Score
13/8
Sooper sloop
Score
13/9
Sorta blues
Score
13/10
South Rampart Street parade
Scores
For Al Hirt
Laid in: wind part changes
3/3-4
South Rampart Street parade
Parts
13/11
Star eyes
Score
13/12
Strangers in the night
Score
13/12
Strangers in the night
Parts
4/4
Studies and sketches
Exercises and miscellaneous sketches
Includes sections titled: Politely; Dat dere; Ala mode; Shout; Noodling; Half step song; Coffee
4/5
Studies and sketches
Counterpoint exercises
4/6
Studies and sketches
Exercises and miscellaneous sketches
Includes section titled: Excerpts from Wozzeck (Alban Berg)
4/7
Studies and sketches
Exercises and miscellaneous sketches
Includes sections titled: Whistler; Sally; Quartet for strings; Hope the band; Don’t fence me
4/8
Studies and sketches
Counterpoint exercises
13/13
Sunset colors
Score
14/1
Take the A train
Score
For Glenn Miller
14/2-3
Tenderly
Scores
Multiple versions
14/2
Tenderly
Parts
4/9
That old black magic
Parts
14/4
There is no greater love
Score
14/5
These are the good old days
Score
14/5
These are the good old days
Lead sheet
14/6
Thou swell
Score
14/7
Turk's tune
Score
16/3
Twelve days of Christmas
Score
For the Boston Pops
Uh! Oh!
see
[Nutty squirrels](bm02)
14/8
Unforgettable
Score
14/9
Vilia
Score
14/10
Violin concerto (Tchaikovsky)
Violin and trumpet parts
14/11
Waltzing Matilda
Score
Laid in: piano-vocal score used for arrangement
14/12
When I take my sugar to tea
Score
14/13
When my sugar walks down the street
Score
14/14
When the saints go marching in
Score
14/14
When the saints go marching in
Short scores/sketches
Multiple versions
For the Boston Pops
15/1
When your lover has gone
Score
15/2
Whisper not
Score
Wings over Manhattan
see
[Aviation suite](bm04)
15/3
You ain't makin' it
Score
15/4
You and the night and the music
Score
15/4
You and the night and the music
Parts
15/5
You may swing
Score
4/10
You stepped out of a dream
Score
15/6
You'd be so nice to come home to
Score
15/7
You're the top
Score
15/7
You're the top
Parts
15/8
Unidentified
Score fragment