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Java Jive

Music by Ben Oakland

Java Jive is a song written by Ben Oakland and Milton Drake, in 1940. The lyrics reflect the slang of the day, including the reference to "Mr. Moto", a fictional Japanese film spy. The Ink Spots' 1941 recording of the song reached #17 on the US Pop charts and is considered by many to be the definitive version. The Song is also heard in the 1942 movie In This Our Life. The Manhattan Transfer also performed it on various occasions, including Camera Three (1974), The Mike Douglas Show (1974), The Two Ronnies (1978), and recorded a popular version of the song in 1975. The song has been heavily recorded over the years with performances by Guy Lombardo and The King Sisters

    Release Date: 1940


Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer for SAB Voices : SAB : Sheet Music Collection

The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer for SAB Voices

The vocal jazz standard "Java Jive" gets a great a cappella treatment with the Kirby Shaw touch! Still swings! The four brothers of the Woody Herman sax section achieved legendary status with the tune "Four Brothers"; later Lambert, Hendricks and Ross recorded a vocal version, followed by Manhattan Transfer's rendition. Paris Rutherford's setting simplifies the vocals slightly while retaining all the drive of the original. Awesome closer to any concert! "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" will put your choir on the jazz track with its hip '40s lyrics. Four of Manhattan Transfer's signature songs are showcased here in a 6-minute mini-medley "Manhattan Transfer Swings!" that will totally energize your concert! Includes: Four Brothers, Route 66, That Cat Is High, Tuxedo Junction.

Songlist: Java Jive, Four Brothers, Operator, Choo Choo Ch' Boogie, Manhattan Transfer Swings!

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Voicing: SAB | Performed by The Manhattan Transfer | 2922b | Sheet Music Collection | $11.50 | With Piano


The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer Complete Vol 2 : SATB : Sheet Music Collection

The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer Complete Vol 2

Mac Huff's arrangement of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover" is from the Manhattan Transfer's recording and "Choo Choo Boogie" will put your choir on the jazz track! Hip '40s lyrics and the burnin'. "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" very deservedly won a Grammy for best vocal arrangement and here is a note-for-note arrangement that matches the original recording! "How High The Moon" is an up-tempo piece has exciting vocal writing. The vocal jazz standard "Java Jive" gets a great a cappella treatment with the Kirby Shaw touch! Still swings!

Songlist: Java Jive, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Choo Choo Ch' Boogie, Dream Lover

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Voicing: SATB | Performed by The Manhattan Transfer | 4406b | Sheet Music Collection | $9.95 | A Cappella


Various Arrangers : Women's Popular Jazz : SSAA : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Women's Popular Jazz

"I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is a whimsical gem for female voices and will captivate your audiences. Kirby's exquisite arrangement of this classic song lets each section blossom with a turn at the melody. Mac Huff's arrangement of Bette Midler's #1 pop hit "From A Distance" has powerful lyrics and a timeless melody that will create an unforgettable concert moment. Magical! Michele Weir's arrangements of "Rock-A-Bye Baby" is a smooth jazz delight and the vocal jazz standard "Java Jive"gets a great a cappella treatment with the Kirby Shaw touch! Still swings!

Songlist: I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, Java Jive, From a Distance, Rock-A-Bye Baby

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Voicing: SSAA | 2372b | Sheet Music Collection | $10.95 | A Cappella


Various Arrangers : Let's All Sing Jazz - Collection of Jazz Favorites for Young Voices : Unison : Songbook : 884088964290 : 1480367192 : 00124184

Various Arrangers : Let's All Sing Jazz - Collection of Jazz Favorites for Young Voices

Collection for Young Voices. Mancini, young singers will groove to these accessible charts, arranged specifically for young unison voices, with optional harmony for extra jive! The Piano/Vocal Collection offers fully accompanied songs, and the Singer Edition comes in handy paks of ten with vocal parts only. Jazz up your performance with professionally-produced recordings on a separate performance/accompaniment CD. Suggested for grades 4-8

Songlist: Basin Street Blues, Choo Choo Ch' Boogie, I've Got The World On A String, Java Jive, The Pink Panther, Tuxedo Junction

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Voicing: Unison | 2729b | Songbook | $14.95 | With Piano | Accompaniment CD Available


Various Arrangers : Popular Jazz Standards for Younger Voices,  Vol 2 : SAB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Popular Jazz Standards for Younger Voices, Vol 2

"Birdland" - A jazz classic written by keyboardist Joe Zawinul with lyrics by Jon Hendricks now arranged for younger choirs. A perfect showcase for your beginning vocal jazz group! "Java Jive" - It's America's favorite beverage! This great standard from the '40s regained the spotlight in the Manhattan Transfer version from 1975. This well-crafted Discovery Series arrangement will showcase your young singers at their swingin' best! "Beyond the Sea" - Here is a swing treatment of the contemporary pop standard most famously recorded in a big band swing style by Bobby Darin in 1959. Great for learning vocal jazz technique. "Tuxedo Junction" - From Glenn Miller to The Manhattan Transfer, this Discovery Series arrangement gives you an authentic setting for your younger choirs! Featuring the jazzy lead line supported by the ba-bop chorus and a written scat section, your singers will groove to this accessible chart! "Basin Street Blues" - Recorded by American jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, here is a great teaching tool for introducing blues styles to your younger choirs.

Songlist: Birdland, Java Jive, Beyond the Sea, Tuxedo Junction, Basin Street Blues

More details
Voicing: SAB | 2803b | Sheet Music Collection | $9.95 | With Piano


Various Arrangers : Pop Songs for SAB Voices : SAB : Sheet Music Collection

Various Arrangers : Pop Songs for SAB Voices

The 1978 movie Ice Castles featured a musical score by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. This wonderful ballad, "Through The Eyes Of Love," lives on and has been recorded by artists the world over. Kirby Shaw uses his exceptional arranging skill to bring us this very special arrangement. Don't miss this one! Russell Robinson embraces all the beauty and sensitivity of this Errol Garner pop tune, "Misty," in a very simple setting that will add a touch of class to any choral concert. Also included in this package is "Java Jive" arranged by Kirby Shaw, and Jeff Funk's arrangement of "Blue Moon."

Songlist: Misty, Java Jive, , Blue Moon

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Voicing: SAB | 9285b | Sheet Music Collection | $7.95 | A Cappella


The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer Songbook : Solo : Songbook : 073999574708 : 0793520819 : 00357470

The Manhattan Transfer : Manhattan Transfer Songbook

Formed in New York in 1969, vocal quartet Manhattan Transfer was the first group to receive Grammy Awards in both the pop and jazz categories in the same year. This special second-edition songbook features their best-known songs performed in concert and on records, from Birdland to their show closer A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. 25 songs in all, including: Body and Soul, The Boy from New York City, Chanson D'Amour, Java Jive, Love for Sale, Operator, Poinciana, Route 66, Tuxedo Junction, You Can Depend on Me and more.

Songlist: Birdland, Blue Champagne, Body and Soul, Boy From New York City (piano/vocal/guitar), Candy, Chanson D'Amour, Four Brothers, A Gal In Calico, Gloria, Java Jive, Love For Sale, A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, On A Little Street In Singapore, Operator, Poinciana, Popsicle Toes, Route 66, S.O.S., Scotch and Soda, That Cat Is High, Trickle, Trickle, Tuxedo Junction, Twilight Tone, You Can Depend On Me

More details
Voicing: Solo | Performed by The Manhattan Transfer | 4405b | Songbook | $14.95


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-6 of 6 items.


Java Jive : SAB : Kirby Shaw : Ben Oakland : Songbook : 00-WBCH93389 : 029156104318

Kirby Shaw : Java Jive

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Ben Oakland

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Voicing: SAB | Sheet Music | $1.60 | A cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-WBCH93389


Java Jive : SAB : Kirby Shaw : Ben Oakland : The Manhattan Transfer : Sheet Music : 08552154 : 884088326784

Kirby Shaw : Java Jive

It's America's favorite beverage! This great standard from the '40s regained the spotlight in the Manhattan Transfer version from 1975. This well-crafted Discovery Series arrangement will showcase your young singers at their swingin' best! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:40.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Ben Oakland Performed By: The Manhattan Transfer

More details
Voicing: SAB | Sheet Music | $2.25 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08552154 | Voicetrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part, 2-Part


Java Jive : SATB : Russell L. Robinson : Ben Oakland : The Ink Spots : Sheet Music : 00-35739 : 038081399355

Russell L. Robinson : Java Jive

"I love coffee, I love tea . . ." Originally made popular by The Ink Spots in 1940 and later by The Manhattan Transfer, this jazz standard still swings today! "I love the java jive, and it loves me."

Arranger: Russell L. Robinson | Composer: Ben Oakland Performed By: The Ink Spots

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $1.90 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00-35739
Other Voicings: SAB, SSA, TTBB


Java Jive : SSAA : Bluegrass Student Union : Ben Oakland : Bluegrass Student Union : Sheet Music : 00362131

Bluegrass Student Union : Java Jive

Arranger: Bluegrass Student Union | Composer: Ben Oakland | Lyricist: Milton Drake Performed By: Bluegrass Student Union

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Voicing: SSAA | Sheet Music | $3.20 | A Cappella |
00362131 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: SATB, TTBB, TTBB


Java Jive : SATB : Kirby Shaw : Ben Oakland : The Manhattan Transfer : Sheet Music : 08666000 : 073999339000

Kirby Shaw : Java Jive

Now available in an SSAA setting, this vocal jazz standard gets a great a cappella treatment with the Kirby Shaw touch! Still swings!

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Ben Oakland Performed By: The Manhattan Transfer

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.30 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08666000
Other Voicings: SSAA, SAB


Java Jive : TTBB : Ed Lojeski : Ben Oakland : The Manhattan Transfer : Sheet Music : 08752450 : 884088536275

Ed Lojeski : Java Jive

A classic! Ed Lojeski's arrangement of Java Jive still grooves with an infectious style that will inject a light moment in every concert! Now available in newly engraved print and digital editions. Available separately: SATB, TTBB, SSAA. Rhythm section parts available as a digital download (gtr, b, dm). Duration: ca. 2:50.

Arranger: Ed Lojeski | Composer: Ben Oakland Performed By: The Manhattan Transfer

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $1.95 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08752450 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: SATB, SSAA, SATB, SSAA

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