Inside the Archive: Arranging

Finding Your Voice Through the Music

At JazzVoice, we’ve built a library of over 500 classes, masterclasses, and workshops featuring some of the most respected artists in jazz. It’s an incredible resource—but it can also be a lot to navigate.

That’s why we created Inside the Archive.

This series is designed to guide you through the JazzVoice library by theme—highlighting specific moments from our archive so you can dive deeper into a topic and discover the material that will move your artistry forward.

🎶 This Week’s Theme: Arranging

Arranging is where your musical identity really begins to take shape.

It’s not just about changing chords or reharmonizing a tune—it’s about making musical decisions that reflect your voice. From phrasing and form to groove, harmony, and storytelling, arranging is how you turn a song into something personal.

Below are a few curated clips from the archive that explore different approaches to arranging—from practical tools to deeper artistic concepts.

🎧 Featured Clips

Kat Sherman – Elements of Arranging 

A clear, foundational look at what actually goes into an arrangement, with practical ideas you can apply right away.👉 Watch: 23:41 – 34:30 (“Just Squeeze Me”)

John Proulx – Practical Arranging Concepts 

Straightforward, usable tools for shaping your arrangement and thinking through musical decisions.👉 Watch: 1:47 – 11:38

Peter Eldridge – The Art of Song Reinvention 

A deeper dive into how to transform a song while still honoring its essence.👉 Watch: 3:07 – 15:00

Mark Shilansky – Making a Song Your Own 

A thoughtful look at interpretation and how arranging choices shape your version of a tune.👉 Watch: 9:20 – 18:22

Amanda Eckery – Arranging for the Solo Jazz Vocalist 

Short and focused ideas specifically for singers working without a band.👉 Watch: 2:41 – 5:30

Kavita Shah – Creative Arranging 

A fresh, creative perspective on expanding your arranging palette.👉 Watch: 47:10 – 50:52

Danielle Wertz – Lyric-Driven Arranging 

A powerful approach to arranging that starts with the meaning of the lyric.👉 Watch: 13:00 – 16:54 (“Express”) & 19:50 – 25:17 (“Creating a New Home for the Lyric”)

✨ Keep Exploring

These clips are just a starting point.

Inside the JazzVoice archive, you’ll find hundreds of classes that dig even deeper into arranging, interpretation, improvisation, and performance.

Take your time with these—watch, experiment, and bring the ideas into your own music.

That’s where arranging really comes to life.