Earworm
Bb Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, & Bass Clarinet
Wondering if this piece is a good fit for your ensemble? Check out the perusal score!
Program Notes
Although I have enjoyed many pieces for Sax Quartet, I have always been enamored by the timbral qualities of the woodwind sections found in the early big band jazz days. The combination of the rich single-reed sounds of Clarinet and Saxophone together is magical. This piece seeks to further explore the possibilities of these two not-so-dissimilar instrument families as a single organism. I approached this piece with the primary goal to showcase all possible combinations of the ensemble’s unique set of timbres while also paying respect to its roots in jazz. I also wanted to incorporate fun and lopsided grooves that saxophone quartet players are well acquainted with these days. This kind of groove does not come naturally to me, so I used an additive sequence to help make it happen. The result was the following: 12 | 123 | 1234 | with each number representing both a simple and compound beat. The particular progressions used in this piece refused to leave my head as I was working on this which is what lead to it be named Earworm.
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(Digital Score & Parts available to purchase, store page coming soon.)