The UNLV Wind Orchestra under the direction of Tom Leslie premiered the 8-minute version of my composition “Bordello Nights” for wind orchestra and jazz band at Le Festival des Anches d’Azur in La Croix-Valmer Sunday evening, June 26. It was an honor having the opportunity to work with Tom and the amazing guest artists who were featured in the jazz band: Eric Marienthal (alto sax); Colin Gordon (soprano sax); Mitch Forman (piano); Kevin Axt (electric bass); and Bernie Dresel (drums). Here are some photos from the premiere:
I had a wonderful time hanging out with the musicians in La Croix-Valmer! When the musicians weren’t rehearsing, we spent time exploring the nearby villages, and enjoyed having dinner together each night. Here are some photos:
I recently revised my song Air and Angels with text by John Donne (1572-1631) that existed in two of my earlier song cycles (Songs of Ethereality and Between Realities). There are two versions available: for voice & piano or for voice, piano, synth and electric bass. I will be premiering the ensemble version of this piece August 21, 2016 on my showcase at the Bop Shop in Rochester, NY.
Since an audio recording isn’t available yet, here is a MIDI realization of the version for voice, piano, synth, and electric bass:
On Sunday, May 22nd, I performed a few of my compositions scored for voice, clarinet, piano, electric bass, and drums for a concert in Ham Hall at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I consider these versions remixes, since the original versions were written for a different instrumentation, and also modified in various ways in order to create versions suitable for this instrumentation in a live show context. It meant a lot to me to have this opportunity to showcase a 15-minute set, and grateful to the musicians I asked for joining me to make this happen: Cory Tiffin (clarinet), Jason Corpuz (piano), Summer Kodama (electric bass), and Jeremy Klewicki (drums).
Excerpt from Burning Light (remix); Video recording by Joshua Sjoen
Excerpt from Familiar Stranger (remix); Video recording by Joshua Sjoen
Excerpt from Moments Shared, Moments Lost (remix); Video recording by Joshua Sjoen
Saturday April 23rd and Sunday April 24th, I worked with people of all ages to create music on the spot in reaction to the historical Las Vegas Signs in the Neon Museum. I began with an interactive composition I wrote that involved teaching rhythms to separate groups, giving people percussion instruments to beat out the rhythms, and then groove with the parts I wrote out for piano, clarinet, and voice. Following that exercise, they broke out into small groups and chose a sign in the gallery. Their task was to create a composition together in reaction to the visual elements. Many of the groups used words and set them to a rhythm, and some people even added choreography and song. Closing each session, pianist Jae Ahn-Benton, clarinetist Ivan-Ivanov and percussionist Manny Gamazo played the shortened remix version of my composition Moments Shared, Moments Lost. It was such a fun event, and was a pleasure to engage with so many people (both locals and tourists) in the area! I hope to have the opportunity to do many more programs like this in the future!
My composition “Moments Shared, Moments Lost” (2016) was premiered by clarinetist Ivan Ivanov and Jae Ahn-Benton on organ at Doc Rando Hall, University of Nevada, Las Vegas on April 18th, 2016. Here are some photos from the premiere! Composers Augusta Read Thomas and Bernard Rands were in residence at UNLV that weekend, and it was a fun and inspiring few days!
On Sunday, April 3rd, the UNLV Wind Orchestra under the direction of Tom Leslie recorded my composition Bordello Nights with the jazz soloists Eric Marienthal, Colin Gordon, Mitch Forman, Kevin Axt, and Bernie Dresel. The ensemble sounded fantastic, and cannot wait to hear the finished product next year!