Happy Holidays everyone!
I am back in the large ensemble writing groove and have booked the first concert gig for my jazz orchestra in March 2012. (See calendar for details). Maybe it was my Jazz Arranging students at WCSU that inspired me, or perhaps it was just time for me to dive back into the insanity that comes with the desire to write for large ensembles (plus scheduling all the rehearsals and hiring the musicians too!). Well... onwards! I am looking forward to performing some older pieces as well as something new that I have been working on.
I also hope to have some smaller ensemble gigs (the Trio) in 2012 as well, so looking forward to that too.
On a more somber note, I just want to acknowledge, here, the recent death of Bob Brookmeyer. A brilliant jazz composer and valve trombonist. I had the great fortune to study (briefly) with him. I also had the wonderful opportunity, for many years, to be part of the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop, which was created by Bob Brookmeyer, along with composer Manny Albam and jazz journalist Burt Korall. Thank you Bob, for a lifetime of musical inspiration. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
Respectfully,
deborah