Querencia for wind ensemble & vibraphone soloist was commissioned by James Doyle and the Adams State University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Angela Winter for premiere at the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs on January 26, 2017. The commission was funded by a grant that encourages art based on the culture of the San Luis Valley in Colorado.Duration: approximately 6 minutes. Here are some score excerpt:

I premiered the version I wrote of “Songs in the Dark” with the Mivos quartet on September 17, 2016 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for the N.E.O.N. festival concert. It was such an honor working with them! Featured are:
Jennifer Bellor, composer and vocalist
Mivos Quartet (Olivia de Prato and Lauren Cauley, violin; Victor Lowrie, viola; Mariel Roberts, cello)
Tim Jones, vibraphone
Summer Kodama, electric bass

I orchestrated the first two songs of the cycle for this performance: 1) “Frozen” and 2) “Fall, Leaves, Fall.”

UNLV Wind Orchestra under the direction of Tom Leslie
Featuring: Eric Marienthal (alto sax); Colin Gordon (soprano sax); Mitch Forman (piano); Kevin Axt (electric bass); Bernie Dresel (drums)

 Great recording session today! Recorded the original version of “Songs in the Dark” (voice, piano, synth, electric bass), along with “Air and Angels.” I’m hoping the EP I release later this fall will feature not only these songs, but also the live, raw and uncut performance of the Jazz version from last Sunday’s CD release show (if the mastering works out). 😊

CD Release Show at The Bop Shop August 21, 2016
Jennifer Bellor, vocals
Colin Gordon, soprano saxophone
Julian Garvue, piano
Andrew Links, keyboard
Tyrone Allen, electric bass
Aaron Staebell, drums

1. Chase the Stars

2. Burning Light (remix)

10. Songs in the Dark

Received the audio from the CD Release show, and excited to share my new song cycle I wrote this summer called “Songs in the Dark” with text by Emily Bronte (1818-1848):
1. “Frozen” (poem “The Night is Darkening”)
2. “Fall, Leaves, Fall”
3. “I’ll Not Weep” (poem “Stanzas”)

I also arranged a couple of my favorite tunes: “A Whole New World” and “Pure Imagination” to split up the set of all originals. It was fun performing them!

I had a blast making music with my band Sunday, August 21st at the Bop Shop for my CD release party in Rochester, NY.

Band featured:
Jennifer Bellor, vocals
Colin Gordon, soprano saxophone
Julian Garvue, piano
Andrew Links, keyboard
Tyrone Allen, electric bass
Aaron Staebell, drums

Great turnout, and was so happy to share it with so many friends from the area who were there to support me! At the end of the show I asked the audience to stay put so I could take a photo:

I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun performing! I presented an hour and 15-minute set comprising special live versions of not only compositions from my album Stay, but also premieres of songs I wrote this summer.