Five Pieces for Vibraphone Solo

1. Blue Afro
2. Salt
3. Spacewalk
4. Will o' the wisp
5. Epilogue

 

 

 

Five Pieces For Vibraphone Solo was premiered December 1, 2014 by Jonathan Kipp at the Hoson House in Tustin, California

1. Blue Afro references Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue”, from which it borrows only the West Afican 12/8 “atsia*” groove. It is freely composed.

*Atsia is a West African music/dance rhythm in 12/8 time – often referred in jazz settings as “afro-cuban 6/8”

Movements 2-4 are loosely based on established jazz standards. The titles offer clues as to their sources, which are not immediately obvious upon listening. It is preferred not to “give away” the sources to audience members until after they have heard the piece.

2. Salt is based on Lady Is A Tramp. (S.A.L.T. = Lady iS A Tramp)
3. Spacewalk follows the chord changes of Stella by Starlight.
4. Will o’ the Wisp. The title plays on Willow Weep for Me, on whose chord changes the movement is based.

5. Epilogue. The only member of the set not inspired by jazz; the Epilogue seemed with its processional quality to be an apt way to close the set.

 

The overall mood is somber, low key, and spare. Monochromatic; I wanted to bring out the purity and consistency of the vibraphone’s tone. Simple and direct: think Japanese brush painting.

The whimsical illustrations in the score may be reprinted in program notes.

Ron Levy's concert music performance materials are available for sale or rent from Thinkling Music Press info@ronlevymusic.com