My latest composition, Momentum, will be premiered on March 27, 2014 at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC USA. Momentum is a collaboration. The concept for the piece came from Out of Bounds Ensemble founding member and pianist, Tomoko Deguchi. Tomoko will play piano for the premiere. I composed the music (flute, oboe, clarinet, solo alto saxophone [featuring Tracy Patterson], piano, guitar, bass, and digital audio), Winthrop Theatre and Dance faculty Val Ifill will choreograph dance for the piece, and Wintrhop Fine Arts faculty Seth Rouser will create a video that will be synchronized with the music and dance. The premiere will occur during the week-long inauguration of Winthrop University’s 10th president, Dr. Comstock. As such, we all agreed that the piece should capture the energy and optimism inherent in new beginnings. The performance will be conducted by my friend and colleague, Dr. Leonard Mark Lewis (all round good guy, wonderful composer and pianist).
The music for Momentum is deeply personal for me. I draw upon my days as a jazz-fusion bassist for inspiration and material. I love the energy and drive of fusion and progressive rock, and I tried to channel that language and energy into Momentum.