Just for listening...

Here are a few of my favorite works not in any particular category!

THE CHALLENGE. This instrumental jazz orchestra work was dedicated to the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the Challenger space shuttle explosion. The piece begins with an earthbound introduction (1:11, the same amount of time from liftoff to explosion in the actual flight) that gives way to a rhythmic, adventurous groove that is something of an updated sea chanty for our twentieth-century great explorers. It concludes with seven orchestral blasts that are a 'seven-gun salute' to these intrepid space pioneers. Featuring Jon Negus on the alto saxophone, the piece is performed by the Chicago New American Orchestra.

WHERE I BELONG. Vocalist Keith Tynes, my college roommate who now lives and performs in Berlin, sings this jazz ballad in classic American songbook style. He is accompanied by the Chicago New American Orchestra.

TAKE ME THERE. JoBelle Yonely sings this tune with a soft latin groove and a samba section, backed by the Chicago New American Orchestra.

CITYSCAPE:CHICAGO. Commissioned by Midwest Young Artists for Charles Pikler (principal viola for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), this suite features a solo part for violin and viola-- Pikler plays both-- and is in three programmatic movements. 

I. The Loop

II. The Lake

III. Michigan Avenue