|
Jazz
Ensemble
|
| Title |
Tempo/Style |
Grade |
Soloists |
Recording |
Publisher |
Price |
Notes |
A Question of Hope |
q = 190;
ECM Even-eighths and then Swing |
IV |
Tenor, Trpt or Tbn, opt. Rhythm section |
Doug Beach/Kendor demo
mp3 file
|
Doug Beach/Kendor
ejazzlines.com
|
$56 |
comm. by the Illinois
Music Educators Association. See improv article. |
"Thanks again for this great work. The more I listen and study the score, the more depth I discover, and the more I'm feeling grateful for the compositional gift you have created for us. This includes everything from rigorous ensemble parts offered for each instrument (especially the parts needed for audition material), to the fine detail in each part, my favorite of which is a varied ride cymbal pattern in the drum set part. I also love the fact that students can solo in both ECM and swing feels, and that the backgrounds are constructed in a way that helps build the musical intensity for the soloist moving forward. Another great feature of this chart is the thoughtful words you put into the description of your inspiration to write this over the month of July 2016, and all the various artists, recordings, and jazz styles that students can use to listen and learn to a much deeper level...."
Craig Roselieb (Illinois Music Educators Jazz Division President)
|
|
Blue Infusion
|
q = 70;
12/8 Swing |
III |
opt. Alto,
Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm section |
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
Kjos
|
$45 |
comm.
by The Commission Project for Evanston Township HS Jazz Band (IL); altered
minor blues |
| Bouncing
Back |
q = 120; Swing
|
II |
any instrument;
opt. written Trpt, Tenor |
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
ejazzlines.com
print
ejazzlines.com
download |
$50 |
comm.
by TCP and Limestone Jr. HS (IL); bluesy tune alternating 2- and 4-feels;
opt. reduced down to 6 horns, Pno, Dr |
By the
Light
of the Dawn |
q = 66;
Bolero |
IV |
Tbn or
opt. any player |
live concert
video; also YJED 2000, Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
 |
Three-Two Music
ejazzlines.com |
$70 |
comm.
by The Commission Project for the 911 Mambo Orchestra and for Evanston Township HS Jazz Band |
"At the
51st edition of The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, ...the evening
began with the premiere of García's new bolero, By the Light
of the Dawn, underwritten by The Commission Project and performed
by Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra, one of Chicago's outstanding
Latin jazz bands. The composition is being shared with Evanston Township
High School's jazz band as part of García's ongoing artist-residency
there, also funded by TCP."
International Trombone Association Journal
|
|
Cha-Cha
con Sabor
|
q = 124;
Cha-cha
|
III
|
opt. Alto, Tenor,
Bari, Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm
|
TANK!, Missouri State University Jazz Band, 2008
mp3 file
|
Walrus
|
$55
|
written for the VCU
Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band; A-minor; in the style of Oye
Como Va; solos over AABA form or just an A-minor vamp; opt. guitar,
timbales, percussion; opt. "coro" for the band to sing!
|
Doctor Deja Vu's Promenade |
q = 120;
a jazz composition in New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian
and 2-3 streetbeat grooves, even-eighths |
IV |
Soloists could be almost anyone but are scored to feature Alto 1, Trumpet 2, Trombone 1, Tenor 1, Bass, and Piano. |
Virginia Commonwealth University
Jazz Orchestra I premiere
mp3 file
|
ejazzlines.com
print
ejazzlines.com
download |
$65 |
comm. by the Kentucky Music Educators Association
for the All-State Jazz Ensemble I |
|
"Hang" Time
|
q = 124; Swing
|
V
|
4 Tbns + written
B. Tbn
|
Hot House,
Eastman Jazz Ensemble (Mark MJS-57615), 1985
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$55
|
5-Tbn feature in
G minor & G major; ww doubles
|
Home Is Where The Heart Is |
q = 74;
Swing Ballad |
IV |
Tpt 4 or opt. other instrument |
archival
mp3 file
|
ejazzlines.com
print
ejazzlines.com
download
|
$50 |
written to be sightread in concert by the VCU
Jazz Orchestra I; Basie-style |
|
I Like Bebop
|
q = 220; Swing
|
V
|
Tbn, Trpt, Pno, Dr,
any Saxes
|
The Count is In,
JazzTech Big Band
(Sea Breeze CDSB-2047), 1993
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
Walrus
print
Walrus
download |
$44-$55
|
comm. by the Illinois
Music Educators Association; Bb blues with a bridge. See improv article.
|
|
"For
sheer big band excitement and power, it would be hard to surpass Tony
García's infectious I Like Bebop...."
Jazzgram
|
|
I Mean MONK
|
q = 190; Swing
|
IV
|
Alto, Tbn, Trpt,
Rhythm
|
archival
mp3 file
score and audio synched here
|
Hal Leonard
|
$60
|
comm. by IAJE-MO
for the Missouri Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Ensemble;
"I Mean You" changes
|
"Antonio's skillful work is an absolute clinic for the melodic genius of this jazz master [Thelonious Monk]."
Hal Leonard Corporation |
|
"That
is an awesome chart! Very funny and swinging.
Kudos on a very clever and fun chart."
Michael Philip Mossman, Trumpeter, Composer, Bandleader
Missouri All-State Jazz Ensemble Director
|
"Your
chart was wonderful, so packed with cleverness.
Thanks for a great commissioned Missouri chart."
Martha Stitzel, The Principia
|
|
Jaguar Blues
|
q = 184; Swing
|
III
|
any instrument; opt.
written Alto, Trpt, Tenor, Tbn
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
Kjos
|
$45
|
comm. by The Commission Project and
Jefferson Middle School (MO); cut-time feel, with all horn notes on quarter-note
downbeats for easy reading; opt. reduced down to 6 horns, Pno, Dr
|
|
Jumpin' at
the Westside
|
q = 200; Swing
|
IV
|
opt. Alto, Tenor,
Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm
|
Fascinatin' Rhythm,
JazzTech Big Band (ROPA Jazz 1033), 1997
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
Walrus
|
$55
|
comm. by Dowling
HS Jazz Band (IA); based on Shiny Stockings & Satin Doll;
opt funk section
|
"Parton
has been able to generate some first-class writing from within. Of special
interest is Tony García's Jumpin' at the Westside, which
has a couple of unexpected interludes of ensemble interplay during a
rhythm drop-out, plus knowing solo work on trombone by the author."
Down Beat
|
"...a
thundering flag-waver,
a striking original."
Jack Bowers (liner notes for the CD "Fascinatin'
Rhythm")
|
|
Loved One
|
q = 70
Swing Ballad
|
IV
|
Tbn or opt. Trpt
|
What Are We Here
For?, JazzTech Big Band (Sea Breeze SB-2067), 1995
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
Walrus
|
$48
|
comm. by JazzTech
Big Band; Basie-style ballad a la Li'l Darlin'
|
|
"...a
hauntingly lovely ballad reminiscent of Neal Hefti's
Li'l Darlin'."
Cadence
|
"In
the category of prettiest original composition, the undisputed winner
is trombonist Antonio J. García who wrote, arranged, and contributes
a lustrous solo on Loved One, an entrancing confection
whose unhurried pace and seductive melody bring to mind
Neal Hefti's classic Li'l Darlin'."
Jack
Bowers (liner notes for the CD "What Are We Here For?")
|
"...wonderful
writing...a lovely line for the bridge...the changes are very rich and
challenging.... Dynamic textures near the end of the chart will surprise
the audience with dramatic change."
IAJE Jazz Educators Journal
|
|
Maelstrom
|
h = 118; Funk (opt.
shifts to other styles)
|
IV
|
opt. Alto, Tenor,
Trpt, Tbn, Rhythm
|
archival
mp3 file
|
Walrus
|
$55
|
written for the VCU Jazz Orchestra I and premiered
with saxist Seamus Blake; named
after the center of a storm; solos over one-chord A-sections with a several-chord
bridge; no sax doubles. |
|
Mambolák
|
h = 100; Latin
|
III
|
Alto, Flugel, Drums
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$50
|
a samba with easy
solo changes
|
|
Partin' Shots
|
q = 112; Swing
|
V
|
Pno, Bass, Tbn
|
JazzTech Big Band
(Sea Breeze CDSB-112), 1991
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$50
|
comm. by JazzTech
Big Band; Monk-ish Bb blues w/ww doubles, difficult Trpt soli, difficult
Pno melody
|
|
"The
[JazzTech] disc's highlight is Partin' Shots. García's number
gives the rhythm section its biggest chance to shine
and features four trumpets playing as if from one mind to one purpose."
The Jazz Review
|
|
Samba Sin Palabras
|
h = 96; Samba
|
III
|
any instrument (or
opt. voice)
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$80
|
comm. by Highland
Park HS (IL); opt. vocal jazz ens; easy solo changes
|
|
Soft Spot
|
q = 90; Swing
|
V
|
Tbn
|
live concert video;
also
Eleventh Hour Live! , JazzTech Big Band (Sea Breeze SB-2110), 2000
|
Walrus
print
Walrus
download |
$55 |
comm. by JazzTech
Big Band; sassy, bump-and-grind plunger Tbn feature with blues-march bridge
|
|
South Third
Street Waltz
|
q = 142;
Jazz Waltz
|
III
|
Alto, Trpt
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$45
|
comm. by Hinsdale
Central HS Jazz Band (IL)
|
The Midwest Fest |
q = 120; Swing |
IV |
opt. Alto, Trpt,
Tbn, Rhythm |
archival; also
...All Save The Blues!, Evanston Township High School Jazz Ensemble,
1997
mp3 file
RealAudio File |
Kjos |
$45 |
comm. by Meet The
Composer, The Thelonious Monk Institute, and The Commission Project for Evanston Township
HS Jazz Band; based on Cherokee |
"Antonio
García guest-solos on his own [The Midwest Fest], which
offers an imaginatively surrealistic dixieland interlude."
Down Beat
|
"This
swing-style arrangement is based on the chord sequence to the jazz classic
'Cherokee'; and there are references to older swing tunes, such as 'Begin
the Beguine,' 'Four Brothers,' and Dixieland music throughout the arrangement."
The Instrumentalist |
| Trombone Ensemble
|
| Title |
Tempo/Style |
Grade |
Soloists |
Recording |
Publisher |
Price |
Notes |
| Ballad for a Lovely Daughter |
|
|
No improvised solos. |
excerpt
mp3 file 804
YouTube ISU
|
UNC Jazz Press |
|
Composed for the 2010 International Trombone Festival Jazz Trombone Choir; performed here by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA) and by Iowa State University Trombone Studio members (in 2020 lockdown). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. F major. Everyone gets a piece of the melody at some point. The lead part doesn't rise above A above the staff. |
| Bones at the Ready |
|
|
|
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
|
Composed for the 2010 International Trombone Festival Jazz Trombone Choir; performed by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. |
"Bones at the Ready is a welcome addition to the jazz trombone quartet/choir repertory. There are few works for these ensembles that are playable by students or amateurs. Antonio García has wisely created a fun, easy-to-play chart that still swings and sounds great: not an easy task!"
International Trombone Association Journal
|
| Bones o' Funk |
q = 100; Funk |
V |
opt. Tbns 2 & 4 |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$40 |
Performed by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. D minor. Everyone gets a piece of the melody or bass line at some point of the chart. The lead part doesn't rise above A above the staff. A bass trombonist skilled in mixed meter is required. |
| Flying |
q = 160; Jazz Waltz |
III |
opt. Tbns 1, 2, & 3 |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$30 |
Performed by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. F major. Everyone gets a piece of the melody at some point. The lead part doesn't rise above A above the staff. |
"Although quite traditional, this work is harmonically and melodically sophisticated, playable by less-experienced performers
but also musically rewarding for professionals who can take advantage of the optional, built-in solo opportunities."
International Trombone Association Journal
|
Go Tell It On The Mountain |
Rubato Chorale, then q = 132, Swing |
IV |
one or more, ad-lib or written |
archival
mp3 file
|
Ensemble Publications |
$10 |
Four parts; playable by larger ensembles. Performed at the 1997 ITA Festival. Ab Major. Via Kagarice Brass Editions. |
| Samba do Mar |
h = 106; Samba |
III |
opt. Tbns 1 & 2 |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$25 |
Composed for the 2010 International Trombone Festival Jazz Trombone Choir; performed by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. D minor. The dominant rhythm in this piece is the authentic Brazilian "partido alto" style. Everyone gets a piece of the melody at some point. The lead part doesn't rise above G above the staff. |
| Three for Two (or One or Three) |
3 mvmts: 6/8 Afro-Cuban, even-eighth ballad, and swing shuffle |
IV |
all parts, ad-lib or written |
performance of live trombone duo at the International Trombone Association Festival 2021
also mp3s of trombones 1+2 with percussion
Mvmt. I
Mvmt. II
Mvmt. III |
Potenza Music and Just for Brass |
$30 |
Commissioned by trombonist Prof. Nathan Dishman, this work is playable in dozen different configurations including solo trombone, two trombones, and with optional percussion. This specific video demo is of trombones 1+2, featuring Profs. Nathan Dishman (U of Iowa) and Cory Mixdorf (U of Arkansas); and the specific mp3 demos are of trombones 1+2 with percussion, featuring Profs. Antonio García (tenor trombone), Ross Walter (euphonium), and Justin Alexander, all from Virginia Commonwealth University. |
"The piece incorporates Latin, Jazz, and Classical influences. There are optional solo lines that may be omitted, allowing opportunities for improvisation.... The extensive pedagogical resources included with the written suggestions, flexible instrumentation, compact disc accompaniments, parts and scores make this piece easy to incorporate into a collegiate degree recital. The piece features a diversity of musical styles, creating an opportunity to include something interesting, while demanding a high level of technical and musical proficiency from the performer(s)."
International Trombone Association Journal |
| Yo Soy Iorican! |
dotted-q = 120; 6/8 Afro-Cuban |
III |
opt. Tbns 1, 2, & 3 |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$30 |
Performed by The 804 Jazz Bones at The Tromblow'in Festival (VA). Scored for 3 tenor trombones and 1 bass trombone, plus optional drum set; playable by larger ensembles. Eb dominant. Everyone gets a piece of the melody or bass line at some point of the chart. The lead part doesn't rise above G above the staff. The title of the work means "I am Iorican!" and refers to my heritage. My father was from Puerto Rico, and my mother was from Iowa; so I have created the term "Iorican" to describe this culture! |
| Concert Choir
|
| Title |
Tempo/Style |
Grade |
Soloists |
Recording |
Publisher |
Price |
Notes |
Open Minds, Closer Thoughts |
8 mvmts of varied
tempi;
Even-eighths. Styles span Waltz, 3-2 Clave, Odd Meter, Gospel, and Spoken-Word |
IV (ens) |
S, A, T, and B |
live concert video of the premiere of 7 of the 8 movements: VCU Commonwealth Singers; Dr. Erin Freeman, Director
Movements start at:
I. Prologue / 4:56
II. Hot Dogs / 6:54
III. BAM! / 12:39
IV. Hell Was On The Way / 21:11
V. The Black Ghost
(not performed due to time-constraints)
VI. Affirmations / 25:58
VII. Change / 31:21
VIII. Epilogue /
34:28
also a later virtual performance by the CSingers solely of the seventh movement, Change:
|
garciamusic.com |
TBA |
Comm. by VCU Commonwealth Singers for jazz or classical SATB choir, plus one hand percussionist. Based on the book Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail © 2016 by David Coogan, with 10 contributing authors incarcerated at the time. If we're going to reduce crime, we have to deal with its root causes in our community-locally and beyond. This piece, performable as a whole or in excerpted movements, will bring "closer thoughts" to your "open mind" about these causes and the hope for individual and community redemption. Learn more at the 4'20" video "Open Minds, Closer Thoughts: a VCU Choral Premiere." Also hear the interview on NPR's "With Good Reason" with composer García and author Coogan. |
"[When authoring the book] I didn't think about rhythm; I didn't think about harmony; I didn't think about this kind of drama. So it's really gratifying. You all brought to life something that we [co-authors] never could have done on our own."
Dr. David Coogan, Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"Someone can just stand there and tell you about [their experiences], and that's one thing; and you can feel empathy. But when you get the emotions from the text being set to music and melodic and harmonic lines, it really helps you to understand it all the better and to be able to empathize more."
Evan Heiter, VCU Commonwealth Singers member |
"The music and the direction of [Prof. Freeman] allowed [the students] to feel, to give; and that's important to me.... It took me back to when I was in the projects and was getting those sounds daily, every day. Like Kelvin [Belton, co-author] said: it is emotional; and it does take you back."
Terence Scruggs, Co-Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"When it got to my part, I was really feeling vulnerable; and I had never felt that as I was trying to learn my part. But the vulnerability that comes with the entire piece: it's just groundbreaking."
Jonathan Carr, VCU Commonwealth Singers member |
"It made me cry.... I wanted to write the truth because I felt it could be relateable in some kind of way. But the second reason why I wrote was because...I wanted to effect change in kids and young adults, whatever the case may be. So if one of y'all go out of here and help a kid, that will matter. What y'all did here is something amazing, and I want to thank Prof. García. This was overwhelming: I was happy; I was sad; but I want to say to all of you that this was one of the best nights I've had that had something to do with this book.... Prof. García: towards the end, with the 'second, second chance at life': that really hit me because that was what I said in the book.... When we started off doing events for the book, going out speaking, my goal was to affect one young person, one adult to go out and help youth, dealing with teachers who have the chance to deal with more children. By you [singers] all doing what you have done, my job is complete; so I want to thank you all. But I really want to thank you for that 'second, second chance at life.' Me hearing that song.... I have to have that 'do what I got to do no matter what' mentality; and you're singing the song to me today about me on this journey I'm on right now.... I use a lot of things for motivation, and what better to have than my own theme-song!"
Kelvin Belton, Co-Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"I took a service-learning class where each week I would go and mentor at Carver Elementary School.... It's a totally different experience.... I'm continuing this year, though I'm not taking the class. My student is a great kid. But when I walk down in that school, you never know what those students are going through at home. I think that this concert really put that in my mind again."
Hamed Barbarji, VCU Music student |
"It inspired me to go back on Monday to my classroom and look at those kids in a different way so that I can try to be the start of a change in somebody's life."
Lee Ann Evaro, teacher, O.B. Gates Elementary School; audience member |
"It's shocking: I don't know how to explain it. We study music as a history; and even pieces that are new-ish have texts that are old or experiences that are old. So to have something that is so shockingly current and relevant is a bit alarming and important and marvelous."
Dr. Erin Freeman, Director, VCU Commonwealth Singers |
Savior God Above (Come Sunday) |
q = 66;
Even-eighth chorale/ballad |
IV |
any |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$45 |
Arranged for the Alice Millar Chapel Choir at Northwestern University: for jazz or classical SATB choir with improvising jazz soloist
plus jazz piano, bass, and drums |
|
Vocal
Jazz Ensemble
|
| Title |
Tempo/Style |
Grade |
Soloists |
Recording |
Publisher |
Price |
Notes |
|
A Musing
From Afar
|
q = 112;
Even-eighth Modal
|
II
|
any
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$45
|
comm. by IMEA District
VIII; ECM-style, with lyrics about relationships separated by distance
|
|
Face to Face
|
q = 100; Swing
|
III
|
male/female
written solos
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$45
|
comm. by IMEA District
I; lyrics about high school boy-meets-girl
|
|
First Impressions
|
h = 78; Samba
|
III
|
male/female
written solos
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$45
|
Clare Fischer-influenced
harmonies and Latin style; lyrics about romantic first impressions
|
|
Gonna' Go Dancin'
|
q = 140;
Jazz Waltz
|
III
|
any
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$50
|
comm. by IMEA District
IX; '60s Blue Note-influenced feel; lyrics about plans to go out dancing
|
|
Gonna'
Go Dancin' is a "well-written jazz waltz in the style of All
Blues."
Paris Rutherford, University of North Texas, IAJE
Jazz Educators Journal
|
|
Journey
|
h = 86;
Half-x Funk
|
II
|
any
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$40
|
quartal harmonies
and planed dissonances; lyrics about retreating into one's imagination
|
Little Lagniappe |
q = 180; straight- and swing-eighth 3-2 Streetbeat, plus Latin-tinged 2-3 Songo |
IV |
optional written sax and vocal solos are provided; improv welcome |
archival
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$50 |
Commissioned for SATB jazz choir with tenor sax, piano, bass, and drums by the Oakland Jazz Choir (Oakland, California). Lagniappe ("lan-yap") is a phrase used in New Orleans to describe "a little something extra," as a chef may provide to a patron at a restaurant or bakery. The lyrics focus on some of the wonderful meals, ingredients, and tasty names of some of the colorful cuisines of the Crescent City and includes perhaps the only "Cajun-chef rap" in vocal jazz choir repertoire! |
|
Metanoia (A Change
of Heart)
|
Rubato Ballad
|
III
|
male
written solo
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$40
|
a cappella ballad;
lyrics regarding the changing of relationships
|
Open Minds, Closer Thoughts |
8 mvmts of varied
tempi;
Even-eighths. Styles span Waltz, 3-2 Clave, Odd Meter, Gospel, and Spoken-Word |
IV (ens) |
S, A, T, and B |
live concert video of the premiere of 7 of the 8 movements: VCU Commonwealth Singers; Dr. Erin Freeman, Director
Movements start at:
I. Prologue / 4:56
II. Hot Dogs / 6:54
III. BAM! / 12:39
IV. Hell Was On The Way / 21:11
V. The Black Ghost
(not performed due to time-constraints)
VI. Affirmations / 25:58
VII. Change / 31:21
VIII. Epilogue /
34:28
also a later virtual performance by the CSingers solely of the seventh movement, Change:
|
garciamusic.com |
TBA |
Comm. by VCU Commonwealth Singers for jazz or classical SATB choir, plus one hand percussionist. Based on the book Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail © 2016 by David Coogan, with 10 contributing authors incarcerated at the time. If we're going to reduce crime, we have to deal with its root causes in our community-locally and beyond. This piece, performable as a whole or in excerpted movements, will bring "closer thoughts" to your "open mind" about these causes and the hope for individual and community redemption. Learn more at the 4'20" video "Open Minds, Closer Thoughts: a VCU Choral Premiere." |
"[When authoring the book] I didn't think about rhythm; I didn't think about harmony; I didn't think about this kind of drama. So it's really gratifying. You all brought to life something that we [co-authors] never could have done on our own."
Dr. David Coogan, Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"Someone can just stand there and tell you about [their experiences], and that's one thing; and you can feel empathy. But when you get the emotions from the text being set to music and melodic and harmonic lines, it really helps you to understand it all the better and to be able to empathize more."
Evan Heiter, VCU Commonwealth Singers member |
"The music and the direction of [Prof. Freeman] allowed [the students] to feel, to give; and that's important to me.... It took me back to when I was in the projects and was getting those sounds daily, every day. Like Kelvin [Belton, co-author] said: it is emotional; and it does take you back."
Terence Scruggs, Co-Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"When it got to my part, I was really feeling vulnerable; and I had never felt that as I was trying to learn my part. But the vulnerability that comes with the entire piece: it's just groundbreaking."
Jonathan Carr, VCU Commonwealth Singers member |
"It made me cry.... I wanted to write the truth because I felt it could be relateable in some kind of way. But the second reason why I wrote was because...I wanted to effect change in kids and young adults, whatever the case may be. So if one of y'all go out of here and help a kid, that will matter. What y'all did here is something amazing, and I want to thank Prof. García. This was overwhelming: I was happy; I was sad; but I want to say to all of you that this was one of the best nights I've had that had something to do with this book.... Prof. García: towards the end, with the 'second, second chance at life': that really hit me because that was what I said in the book.... When we started off doing events for the book, going out speaking, my goal was to affect one young person, one adult to go out and help youth, dealing with teachers who have the chance to deal with more children. By you [singers] all doing what you have done, my job is complete; so I want to thank you all. But I really want to thank you for that 'second, second chance at life.' Me hearing that song.... I have to have that 'do what I got to do no matter what' mentality; and you're singing the song to me today about me on this journey I'm on right now.... I use a lot of things for motivation, and what better to have than my own theme-song!"
Kelvin Belton, Co-Author, Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail |
"I took a service-learning class where each week I would go and mentor at Carver Elementary School.... It's a totally different experience.... I'm continuing this year, though I'm not taking the class. My student is a great kid. But when I walk down in that school, you never know what those students are going through at home. I think that this concert really put that in my mind again."
Hamed Barbarji, VCU Music student |
"It inspired me to go back on Monday to my classroom and look at those kids in a different way so that I can try to be the start of a change in somebody's life."
Lee Ann Evaro, teacher, O.B. Gates Elementary School; audience member |
"It's shocking: I don't know how to explain it. We study music as a history; and even pieces that are new-ish have texts that are old or experiences that are old. So to have something that is so shockingly current and relevant is a bit alarming and important and marvelous."
Dr. Erin Freeman, Director, VCU Commonwealth Singers |
|
Samba Sin Palabras
|
h = 96; Samba
|
III
|
any voice
(or instrument)
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$75
|
comm. by Highland
Park HS; jazz ens w/opt. vocal jazz ens; wordless lyrics in horn style
|
Savior God Above (Come Sunday) |
q = 66;
Even-eighth chorale/ballad |
IV |
any |
excerpt
mp3 file
|
UNC Jazz Press |
$45 |
Arranged for the Alice Millar Chapel Choir at Northwestern University: for jazz or classical SATB choir with improvising jazz soloist
plus jazz piano, bass, and drums |
|
Strollin' with Sammy
|
q = 88; Swing
|
IV
|
male/female written
solos
|
archival
mp3 file
RealAudio File
|
UNC Jazz Press
|
$45
|
a tribute to composer/arranger
Sammy Nestico in music and lyrics
|
|
Strollin'
with Sammy is a "a simple big band sound, good for teaching swing."
Paris Rutherford, University of North Texas, IAJE
Jazz Educators Journal
|
| Miscellaneous Works
|
| Title |
Tempo/Style |
Grade |
Soloists |
Recording |
Publisher |
Price |
Notes |
| In the Waves |
This is an original film score and sound design created entirely in MIDI. |
-- |
-- |
View the entire video
here.
|
|
-- |
In the Waves is a 6-minute film by Ying-Fang Shen, with score and sound-design by yours truly. It has screened at film festivals around the world. |
| Separate Souls |
q = 60;
Even-eighth
pedal-harp ballad
|
IV |
solo piece |
publisher site mp3 file |
Harp Column Music |
$12 |
Commissioned by Carrol McLaughlin, the title of this pensive piece reflects its bitonal nature, as well as two people going their separate ways from a relationship. |
| Sobukwe |
q = 142
Even-eighth |
-- |
Alto, Trpt, Tbn,
Bass Tbn |
Hear the performance
here.
|
|
|
A composition by Ezra Ngcukana, arranged by yours truly for the VCU Alumni Jazz Quartet to perform at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Service December 11, 2013 at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. |
| That We Might Walk Free |
q = 70 chorale,
q = 144 township swing
|
-- |
Alto, Trpt, Tbn,
Bass Tbn |
View the entire video
here.
|
|
|
Composed for the VCU Alumni Jazz Quartet to perform at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Service December 11, 2013 at The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. |
Three Reasons |
American Paso Doble,
2-3 Son Clave, and 3-2 Rumba Clave |
-- |
Clarinet, Guitar, Percussion |
MIDI demo
mp3 file
|
-- |
-- |
Composed in 2016 for VCU Prof. Eric Rivera's choreographed dance "Llevame Donde Estes," premiered with three dancers and a live trio of musicians in February 2017. |
The Wild Syringa |
West African |
-- |
Each of the four mbiras have independent parts. |
archival
mp3 file
|
-- |
-- |
Mbira music composed in 2002 following my first trip to South Africa. Because it is written for the four specific instruments on which it is performed and their unique tunings, the piece cannot be performed on other mbiras. |
