New Horizons
1. Chelsea Bridge Billy Strayhorn arr. Adrian Drover
The MusicBorn in Dayton, Ohio on the 29th November, 1915, the young composer and pianist Billy Strayhorn offered his composition Lush Life to Duke Ellington in 1938; less than a year later Strayhorn had become arranger and pianist with the famous Ellington Band. The classical and jazz training was appreciated by Ellington who described him as "my listener, and most dependable critic."
2. Li'l Darlin Neil Hefti arr. Simon Wood
Featuring Alan Morrison - Cornet
Neil Hefti will probably be best remembered for his popular music work for Hollywood during the Sixties, most notably as the composer of the 'Batman' theme tune! However, he should most of all be remembered as one of the most important composers and arrangers of the big band bebop era. A fine trumpeter, Hefti played with such greats as Charlie Spivak, Woody Herman and Charlie Ventura.
3. Water from an Ancient Well Abdullah Ibrahim arr. Simon Wood
Abdullah Ibrahim, born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1934, remembers hearing traditional African songs, religious music and jazz as child - all of which are reflected in his music. He received his first piano lessons in 1941 and became a professional musician in 1949, playing with the Tuxedo Slickers and the Willie Max Big Band. An eloquent spokesman and deeply religious, Ibrahim's beliefs and experiences are reflected in his music.
4. Kathy Brian Lynn
Composed in 1970 by trombonist Brian Lynn, 'Kathy' is a feature for four unaccompanied trombones. Brian, an accomplished trombone player himself, has composed numerous works for the instrument and was a member of famous Taverners Trombone Quartet.
5. 'Funeral Oration' from Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale Hector Berlioz arr. Kagarice
Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale is set in three movements; funeral march, funeral oration and apotheosis, all of which are instrumental, except for a portion of the last movement, which involve vocal parts. The funeral oration is a farewell hymn using trombone as a recitative-like voice with the accompaniment acting as a chorus answering to it's speech. This is the premiere recording of a masterful arrangement for organ and trombone by American trombonist Vern Kagarice.
6. Sang till Lotta Jan Sandstrom
Composer Jan Sandstrom writes "Song for Lotta is dedicated to my best friend's daughter Lotta. As she was a small girl, playing and taking lessons in trombone I had just composed my first trombone Concerto - the motorbike Concerto - for Christian Lindberg. I told Lotta that maybe I would compose a Concerto for her if she was still playing trombone when she had grown up. Some years later as she was celebrating her 15th birthday, I didn't compose a Concerto, but a song for her and her father's piano accompaniment."
7. 'Light' for Trombone and Percussion Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Featuring Simone Rebello - Marimba and PercussionDuring the spring of 1999 Aagaard Nilsen composed a song cycle called 'Det andre lyset' (meaning the second light) based on poems by Norwegian Stein Mehren. The songs are separated by instrumental pieces; trombone, saxophone and piano which were recomposed in to 'Light' for trombone and marimba. Light is in four movements and the music has a light, divertimento character. Even though Aagaard-Nilsen uses the same themes and figures in the four movements, he tries to change colours and moods as the music develops (like light constantly changing, but still remaining the same).
8. Adagio from Cello Sonata in G minor Opus 19 Rachmaninov
Trombonists often find works written for other instruments to be particularly satisfying in the absence of suitable original repertoire. The Adagio from Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata is no exception. The complex writing, coupled with the vocal qualities of the trombone make this piece an extremely effective transcription.
9. Dark Eyes Trad. arr Geldard
Bill Geldard has skillfully arranged numerous solos for trombone and brass band. This arrangement of the Russian folk song is arguably his most successful. Originally arranged for Don Lusher back in 1984 this piece dispels any myths that trombones are less than agile!
10. Stardust Hoagy Carmichael arr. Geldard
This "song of the century" was not an overnight sensation. It started out as a piano piece, presented in latter-day ragtime style by its composer, a jazz band groupie recently graduated from the University of Indiana law school. This young man had put his legal career on hold while he trailed after the jazz men he idolized, and offered them songs like 'Riverboat Shuffle', 'Washboard Blues', and 'Stardust'. The last was a little ditty that gave no hint it would later evolve into the most enduring of popular love ballads. Nick Hudson recorded this arrangement of Stardust with the JJB Sport's Leyland Band back in 1996 and has had a number of requests to feature it again on this recording.
11. All I Ask of You Lloyd Webber arr. Mowat
This dramatic aria from the famous Lloyd Webber classic Phantom of the Opera has been arranged by Chris Mowat, principal trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The scholarly work has proved to be a popular item in brass band concerts throughout the country and in Europe.
12. New Horizons Robert Redhead
Written for the Salvation Army in 1974, New Horizons' principal rhythmic pattern is based on a time signature of 7/4. This is specifically designed to create a sense of excitement and anticipation of the 'New Horizons' that are opened up to the Christian who is able to trust his future. The reflective middle section is based on a hymn with words by Harry Reid:
Become aware of Him,
for He is ever near,
speak out your prayer to Him,
for He will ever hear,
stretch out your hand to Him,
He's ever by your side;
leave all you've planned to Him,
and let Him guide.