My New BHAG: A Forest of Americas

[Jazzooo]

BHAG = Big Hairy Audacious Goal...

A San Miguel songwriter/musicologist and I have been officially comissioned to compose A Forest of Americas, a nine-part suite which combines classical forms with jazz improvisation and, finally, Mesoamerican music played on pre-Hispanic instruments.

There is actually funding for this! Our plan is to compose throughout September and October, and begin rehearsals in November, with the goal being three concerts at a lovely church here in San Miguel de Allende in January. The concerts will be filmed and the results will be offered on a DVD as a way of promoting ProMusica, a classically-oriented organization that sponsors lots of traditional concerts but now wants to stretch out a little.

We've already started composing, simple themes which I am now blowing up into hopefully important pieces of extended movements. The entire thing will be around 40 minutes long.

Dig this--the musicians involved are myself on acoustic piano and possibly a loop or two; Tim Hazell (co-composer) on oud, sitar and voice; Nestor Vargas, a Chichimeca Indian who builds and plays reproductions of pre-Hispanic instruments such as tuned rocks, amazing whistles and tuned gourds; Maureen Conlin, a terrific concert violinist who is performing at Carnegie Hall this October; a cellist yet to be named; a shakuhachi player (two movements only) and Mo' Ritmo drummer Victor Monterubio on hand percussion.

So far, the compositions are ranging from Chick Corea-style flamenco jazz to John Cage-ish avant gard to some pleasant classical motifs. We are tweaking a fourth movement right now, as it started sounding too Arabic--not that we're purists, but we need to focus on the three main styles.

As I get demos ready I will post a few. And at the same time I'm preparing this, I will also be arranging and producing Un Tributo En Jazz a The Beatles, a 13 musician blowout similar to our Ray Charles concert, to be performed (twice) the week before Forest of Americas. So I'll be talking about both projects here at JC as they progress. For those who tire of my progress reports, you've been warned. I love to talk about what I'm into--it's a big part of making it happen in the first place.

[Ron Thorne]

Wow, what a hip idea, Doug.

Congrats!

Please keep us informed.

[clinthopson]

Doug, it sounds like you are becoming El Jefe de Musica in SMA.

[Jazzooo]

El Jefe has spoken!

Here is the first demo from the new piece. It's a movement tentatively called Piano Fantasia because it begins with an improvised piano intro and then there are two more brief solo spots.

This demo starts after the hypothetical improvised intro.

It's all me on midi samples, but you'll get the idea--violin, cello, bass, piano and a couple of percussionists.

(link has been updated--move to the next few posts please)

[Jazzooo]

Ok, that first link has expired already, but undaunted I push on!

Here are two other movements, again, just demos with midi instruments. You do not need to register in order to hear them from yousendit.com, which is a pretty hip way to share music files that are too large for email, by the way.

The first is temporarily called New Mood 2. it begins with a simple string trio, then it's mainly a piano feature. Think Philip Glass jamming Debussy's garage.

(Link has been updated below)

The second I wrote in the last 24 hours, and I'm just calling it Piano Violin Two for now. Could be nice.

(link has been updated below)

[Jazzooo]

Ok, it's 10/8/06, and I'm updating all of the demos with more recent versions.

No particular order, but here they are:

Piano Fantasia:

http://download.yousendit.com/05157B40485B9188

New Mood 2"

http://download.yousendit.com/0E64FEF25D31839F

Piano/Violin Piece:

http://download.yousendit.com/7EA8F6C927BC16A3

[Ron Thorne]

I'm enjoying these samples via our son's high-speed connection while vacationing in California, Doug.

Wonderful stuff. I'm especially fond of what you've done with Piano Fantasia. I'm anxious to hear them all develop, especially once given their "true voices", instrumentally.

Sounds like you've been having a lot of fun with this new project.

[Jazzooo]

Thanks, Ron! I'm absolutely having a blast. Just came out of a composer's meeting--there's one other composer who has given me some simple themes to incorporate, but I haven't finished those pieces yet. But in general, I listen to the work and realize that I've never written anything like it before, and that it doesn't suck. Not too bad for 51, to be learning some new tricks.

Whee in CA are you right now?

[Jazzooo]

Ok, here's a brand new one--first it was just a simple banjo theme written by my partner on A Forest of Americas. Then I supersized it

Man, these are productive days.

http://download.yousendit.com/624C71FD07F88EA1

The idea was to take a simple heartland melody and make it something that will really surprise the audience, many of whom are expecting a strictly classical program due to the nature of the venue and the sponsors. Actually, the idea was just to co-write a fun tune!

[Scott Dolan]

UGH, midi......

Like nails on a blackboard, Doug.

But I love the Piano Fantasia piece which I currently have playing. Can't wait to hear the real thing, with real instruments. Very nicely done!

I'll listen to the rest when this one is done, but just had to comment on it!

[Jazzooo]

Thank for lisening, Scott. I do understand that midi sounds can be a real drag. If you spend enough money, it gets better and better sounding (and in fact I have far less anoying sounds in my San Diego studio than down here in Mexico). But it's a pretty amazing tool that allows me to audition my compositions and to help the musicians hear what I'm thinking. And when working with someone long distance who doesn't read tradititional music notation (such as my prehispanic instruments guy) there is really no better way to communicate the shape and flow of the song.

When the time comes, I will make a proper recording of the suite performed by actual players. From the two rehearsals we've had, I can tell you that it rocks pretty hard for chamber music!

[Sandi22]

One day Bill Evans came into the Lighthouse and played for over an hour, interspersing classical with jazz. The place was empty, he just strolled in to handle his emotions, and the music he played that day was the best I had ever heard him play. His clasical interpertations, his going back and forth into jazz, then classical, were astounding, there's more to this story, but when it works it's quite wonderful. You will, in all likelyhood, end up with something quite amazing. Your ideas, in all likelihood, will come together for you as well.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

Whee in CA are you right now?

Right now I'm back in Alaska, having arrived home at a god-awful hour earlier this morning.

When I posted above, Patti and I were on the tail end of a lovely three week vacation in and around the San Fernando Valley where our two sons live with their wives and family. Among other things, we celebrated the 2nd birthday of our youngest grandchild and extended our summer by nearly a month. We also shared nice visits, food and music with Clint and Donna Hopson and Valerie Bishop.

[Jazzooo]

That's a lovely and encouraging thing to say, Sandi. Thanks.

Ron--how fortunate you were to spend time with Clint, Donna and Valerie. They are the coolest.

next time you're coming to the Valley, shoot me a note and I'll try arrange my schedule so I can meet up with you.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

Ron--how fortunate you were to spend time with Clint, Donna and Valerie. They are the coolest.

next time you're coming to the Valley, shoot me a note and I'll try arrange my schedule so I can meet up with you.

We had a wonderful time with those fine folks, indeed.

I'll give you a shout when we head to California next, Doug. It will likely be next September, just after mid-month.

[Sandi22]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

We had a wonderful time with those fine folks, indeed.

I'll give you a shout when we head to California next, Doug. It will likely be next September, just after mid-month.

Enjoyed the photo's Ron, they're terrific!

[Jazzooo]

UPDATE:

The world 3 night premiere of A Forest of Americas is happening NOW. We've played twice to sold out crowds, in the lovely and acoustically cool St. Paul's Church down here in San Miguel de ALlende, Mexico, and we've got one more sold out performance tonight.

The ensemble is really hitting it out of the park. The whole thing is being recorded and video'd. The standing ovations have been so immediate the last two nights that I was actually a little shocked. We've been approached by a Michigan chamber music festival to perform there, and someone is approaching a Chicago World Music festival on our behalf as well. I think this project is going to have some legs.

It feels great to play the piece three nights in a row--I don't think I'll ever rehearse for months only to do a single performance again in my life. This is a far more complete experience for the musicians, and also for the audience members who are seeing multiple shows (which blows my mind).

A few photos from the final rehearsal and then last night's performance:

A radio show the night before (I answered about 30% of the questions in Spanish!)--that's co-composer Tim Hazell on the left, and me on the right:



The Church:



Final rehearsal in ST PAul's:



Roli Hernandez opens the show with some smokin' Bach:



Maureen Conlin-Gutierez knocks the crowd out with some Ysayes:



After an intermission, Tim and I introduce the piece--I'm telling people that since this combines classical, jazz and preHispanic traditions, we don't know whether to tell them to sit silently between movements, clap for the improvised solos, or sacrifice us at the altar by ripping our hearts out :



And then the ensemble takes the stage:






Guitarist Ken Basman joins us for the final two movements:



The crowd gets on their feet:



And finally, three of my favorites from the rehearsal process, including Glenda's 'Let It Be overhead shot.'

[Jazzooo]

Last night was the final performance of the three-part premiere. It was probably the best overall evening, though in all honesty we didn't have a weak one. We got more cool crowd comments afterwards. One guy i know told me that during the lush first movement, he was transported into the middle of a Roseau painting.

We got more invites to perform A Forest of Americas internationally, so hopefully we'll do it in a city near you one day.

The plan is to listen to the recordings of each night and cross reference that with the best video from the last two nights, then release a studio version a long with a DVD-A of the live performance later this year.

Glad we did it, glad it's over for now.

[Gerardo A]

Congrats, Doug! I'd like to hear/see that DVD!

Send me a PM or email so I can give you the names of some of the Mexican jazz journalists I know, so there can be more national coverage for your project.

[Jazzooo]

You got it, Gerardo--thanks. We got some coverage in the Miami Herald and of course the local Mexican press, but we'd really like to take this on the road around Mexico and then in the states, so the more press coverage, the better!

[Ron Thorne]

Wonderful photos and commentary, Doug. Congratulations to all of you on your success. Here's hoping that you get to take A Forest of Americas on-the-road.

What a gorgeous, inspiring venue to perform in, too.

I'd also be interested in the DVD if that materializes. I'm sure that you'll keep us informed.

By the way, Patti and I are headed for the San Fernando Valley in the first week of April for a three week vacation.

[Gerardo A]

PM sent, mi hermano.

[Jazzooo]

Gracias, Gerardo! I would love to hear more about what you're doing yourself on the creative music scene--let's email each other directly. I'm at Jazzooo@aol.com.

Ron, I actually might be in southern CA then for a rehearsal--let's stay in touch. Do you ever bring the family down to the Wild Animal Park north of SD? THat's only minutes from our house.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

Ron, I actually might be in southern CA then for a rehearsal--let's stay in touch. Do you ever bring the family down to the Wild Animal Park north of SD? THat's only minutes from our house.

Doug, I'll definitely stay in touch, but we've never ventured that far south, actually. We usually don't get much further south than Santa Monica or Pasadena. I believe that we've never been further south than Long Beach.

Patti and I may take some new side trips on this vacation, however.

[Jazzooo]

Lol, Ron.

Man, performing for 500 people in an 80,000 person town is pretty cool--people actually applauded when I walked into a restaurant tonight, and I'm getting a dozen people a day coming up to me who either saw the concerts or missed them and want to know if they can buy a CD and when we're performing again. I'd have to say that this is probably my biggest articitic success. We're going to keep developing the work and the perform it in a much larger venue in March. And the we hope to take it on the road in Mexico and possibly the US. Feels good!

[Jazzooo]

Just a quick update: we're going to reprise A Forest of Americas, along with a brand new movement I'm writing, like, right now, on March 24th at Teatro Angela Peralta in San Miguel de Allende. We'll also be selling a live CD which compiles the best movements from our three-night premiere in January (almost all of the movements are from the second night, with a couple from the final final performance).

I don't think I've ever lived with a piece of performance art as long as I have with this one so far--usually, I rehearse, perform or record, and then I move on to something new. I'm genuinely excited about playing this another 20 or 30 times, for a couple of reasons: I'm getting a small taste of what it must be like to be a classical musician who gets multiple shots at reinterpreting a through-composed piece of work over time, anbd the limitations are a challenge; it's difficult to play right all the way through so I've got that goal to strive for; and because of the jazz background of four out of 8 players, it of course comes out different every time we do it.