Download   You should always hum this tune as you board an airplane – it will ease your mind and calm your nerves.  It’s like singing the “Love Boat Theme” just before you set off on a cruise.  Puts you in the right mood for your next adventure.  Singers without a band,  this one is well worth working up for your repertoire.

Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn wrote several tunes for Sinatra, but “Come Fly With Me” was by far the most popular.  It came at a time when  America was in the process of picking up the pieces from World War II – looking for the good life after years of horror and frustration.  This song touted a “good times” philosophy that was so badly needed at that time in our history.  And who better to bring it on than Sinatra?  The country was changing, and Frank was doing his part to help it along.

My Yamaha is ideally suited for arranging Big Band tunes.  The trumpets are crisp and sharp, and the trombone voicing is deep and not the least bit “muddy”. However,  I like the sound of an entire saxophone section playing underneath the melody, but it was such a hassle – dedicating 3 or possibly 4 tracks to different horns (alto, tenor, and baritone) and having to play each part separately. But while mixing this piece, I discovered (well, whad’ya know) something called a SAX SECTION.  It dumps all the saxophones together and it only has to be played once!  Who knew?  Not me.  I’ve never been one to read directions, much to Karen’s chagrin.  Life is so much better now.

The sax section comes in prominently at about the halfway point of the song.  Wait for it… there!  See how it tucks in so nicely under the melody line.  So cool.