Four Stellar Jays
The Vetta Chamber Music society commissioned Four Stellar Jays, a work for violin, piano, soprano saxophone and bass. The resulting jazz-influenced work is being premiered from March 11 through March 14, 2021.
The Saskatchewan Suite
In 2019 the Regina Jazz Society commissioned me to compose a one hour suite telling the story of 150 years of history and culture of the province of Saskatchewan, through the sounds of big band jazz. The concert, which was filmed and recorded, featuring the resulting Saskatchewan Suite, occured in Regina, Saskatchewan on December 28, 2019. The big band, the Saskachewan All Star Big Band, was made up of some of the finest Sasakatchewan musicians, many brought home from afar for the occasion. The cd/dvd package is being released by Chronograph Records April 2021.
Info: https://chronographrecords.com/releases/saskatchewan-suite/
Artistry In Rhythm (Artistry In Metal)
This is my take on Stan Kenton's theme Artistry In Rhythm, which has been subtitled Artistry In Metal. The chart was actually written quite a few years ago for a band my daughter had at the time, a metal band with a brass section (hence the subtitle). Sometime in 2020 I had sent Michael Kim a midi demo of the arrangement. He called and asked if he could record it and, if I was OK with that idea, would I mind adding a solo trumpet part.
I've known Michael for about 10 years and it's always great to see young musicians pursue their dreams. He is a great trumpet player, who seems to make playing in the extreme upper register look effortless. It was a pleasure working with him, his production team and all the great players you see in the video.
CONNECTIONS
Off to Winnipeg, Manitoba for the premiere of a new co-composition titled Connections, composed with Jean-Nicolas Trottier from Montreal. I'll be directing and Jean-Nicolas will be in the trombone section. This is a 46 minute, 8 movement work. I discuss the work with Classic 107 host Chris Wolf which you can find on my video page.
Back to the Future
with Fred Stride & Jean-Nicolas Trottier
SUNDAY, November 27, 2022, 2:00 pm
Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) - 300 Memorial Blvd.
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra looks back to the future with performances of forward-looking music by artists that shaped jazz to come. We present a world premiere co-composition by composer/historian Fred Stride from Vancouver and composer/musician Jean-Nicolas Trottier from Montreal. A multi-movement work, Connections, shows inspiration from many of the great classic big band composers like Duke Ellington, Bill Holman and Thad Jones. This work is a collaboration between two of Canada’s most active big band writers. Fred Stride has led a big band for over 40 years, and has been influenced by many of the great jazz orchestra composers such as Duke Ellington, Bill Holman, Thad Jones, Ron Collier and many others. Though from a younger generation of writers, Jean-Nicolas has also also been influenced by Ellington and Jones, and by trombonist Slide Hampton.
These musical influences will be on display in their joint composition (called “Connections”) that the WJO will perform on November 27, commissioned by the WJO with assistance from the Canada Council. Other pieces on the program include Ellington’s I’m Gonna Go Fishing, Hampton’s Slide’s Derangement, and Thad Jones’ Quietude.
Avec des interprétations de musique d’avant-garde par des artistes qui ont façonné l’avenir du jazz. Avec une toute nouvelle composition de Fred Stride et Jean-Nicolas Trottier