Jerry's arrangements & compositions are performed worldwide by a variety of ensembles. He is equally comfortable writing for concert band, chamber orchestra or big band jazz ensembles. Along with brief remarks, here are examples of Jerry’s distinctive approach to composing and arranging.
Improvisations for Flute, Vibraphone, Piano & Concert Band
A newly commissioned composition, which will be performed by The United States Navy Band on their 2009 National Tour.
Excerpt 1
(1:50)
Excerpt 2
(2:09)
Malaguena Extreme & Variations
7:50
I offered to do a feature for the trombone section of the Navy Band. My
original thought was a Jobim composition. The leader of the band however suggested
that I arrange a feature on the much used “Malaguena.” That said, I created a new
setting for them. It opens with a bit of Samuel Barber, then moves through a montage of styles and time signatures.
Tre Canzone Italiana
9:42
Renowned Euphonium artist Roger Behrend asked me to write a feature for him to perform on national tour. I chose Leoncavallo’s Mattinata, Puccini’s Musetta’s Waltz and Verdi’s Libiamo. Determined to deliver more than "just a transcription,” I altered much of the harmonic concept and gave each song its own development as a vehicle for Roger's virtuosity. This was recently performed at the 2009 Tuba Euphonium Conference. Here is an excerpt from a 2006 recording of The United States Navy Band performing "Tre Canzone Italiana" featuring Euphonium soloist, Roger L. Behrend.
I Can't Help It
1:41
I love Stevie Wonder. Here is an excerpt from an arrangement that features the French Horn section with concert band.
Laura’s Wedding Processional
2:02
When our daughter Laura was to be married, I was honored to compose her
wedding processional. I wrote a brass quintet with organ processional. No recording
survived the onslaught of festivities. However, this is me playing the organ part and a
synthesized brass quintet is set along with it.
United States Navy Band Opener
0:44
When asked to write a new opener for the band, I had no idea in which direction to go. I had been listening to a lot of Copland and James Newton Howard. My decision was guided by their influences. The opener is still in use today.
Remembrance and Prelude
4:02
Composed in honor of CAPT Ralph M. Gambone, USN, RET, for his retirement ceremony. The above sample is not the complete piece, but a compilation from different sections.
The Stars and Stripes Forever
3:35
When asked by the leader of the Navy Band to write a “different” ending to Sousa's “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” I had a moment of disbelief and then decided to accept the challenge. It would be the final selection of the band’s 2007 concert at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention in Chicago, IL. “Oh by the way," he added, "since this is the 125th anniversary of Percy Grainger’s birth, whatever you write needs to reflect that.” Tall challenge.
After the piccolos played their solo, the SRO crowd clapped and started leaving to avoid the rush. When the band embarked on the new ending, audience members looked at each other thinking (and probably saying,) “what the……..” They looked at their programs to see if they’d missed anything and sat down, disbelief on their faces. When the horn section nailed the Grainger quote to the wall, the audience “got it” and the place went crazy. The ending applause said it all.
Make sure you listen to the entire march to get the full effect.
