song: Vilja
artist: Johnny Smith Quintet
album: Jazz at NBC (1953) + Moonlight in Vermont (1956)
writer: Franz Lehár, “Vilja-Lied”, from The Merry Widow (operetta, 1929)

electric archtop guitar: Johnny Smith
upright/double bass: Eddie Safranski
tenor saxophone: Zoot Sims

(piano: Sanford Gold)
(drums: Don Lamond)

This is a note-for-note transcription of the guitar, the bass, and the saxophone on the Johnny Smith Quintet’s version of “Vilja”. This is an adaption of the main theme of the ”Vilja Song”, which is picked out, reharmonised, and sped up. (Hear a 1960 recording with the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra here.) This Jazz version features some of Johnny Smith’s signature chord-melody playing and a couple of great solos, and it is a great practice in keeping up with this impressive bunch of musicians. Enjoy!

This transcription work was requested and sponsored by Michael P. (you know who you are!). He has my gratitude, as well as a great taste in music.