song: The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines
artist: Joni Mitchell
album: Mingus (1979)
writers: Music by Charles Mingus / Lyrics by Joni Mitchell

vocals: Joni Mitchell
fretless electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
soprano saxophone: Wayne Shorter

This is a transcription of this iconic The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines". This recording notoriously features jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, who played the bass part and arranged the horns. The rest of the music was originally composed by Charles Mingus, while the melody was adapted for singing by Joni Mitchell who also wrote the lyrics. This piece of vocalese is thus a sequel to “Twisted” from the Court and Spark album released 5 years earlier. These tunes are rewarding studies for Jazz singers as they take the voice into far-out territory where other instruments usually roam. Enjoy!

Also, check out this intense live performance also featuring Don Alias on the drums and Michael Brecker on the saxophone.