Ensemble Mix  Up a Level         

Part 1: Flute (C), Alto Sax (Eb). Trumpet/Soprano Sax (Bb) Part 2: Trombone (C), Alto Sax (Eb), Trumpet/Tenor Sax (Bb) Part 3: Trombone (C), Baritone Sax (Eb), Tenor Sax (Bb), Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums. Kwazulu Zam was composed using a traditional South African song form called mbaquanga. Mbaquanga is a characteristic South African musical form that utilises a repeated (cyclical) 2 or 4-measure harmonic structure based on I - IV - V - I and I - IV - 1 6/4 - V - I. These progressions are the backbone of South African jazz much like the blues and its variants is to American jazz. The piece is performed in the kwela style which is based on a strong swing feel. The original meaning for kwela during less fortunate times was “kwela–kwela; hurry, hurry, the police are on the way.”

Part 1: Flute (C), Alto Sax (Eb). Trumpet/Soprano Sax (Bb) Part 2: Trombone (C), Alto Sax (Eb), Trumpet/Tenor Sax (Bb) Part 3: Trombone (C), Baritone Sax (Eb), Tenor Sax (Bb), Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums. Night Fright! – Ubusuky Ukuthuka! was composed while on Fulbright with the family to Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. Kwazulu-Natal is set in subtropical, sub-saharan Africa with pounding summer rains and relentless humidity. One night after a shower and in bed with a recent copy of David Hajdu’s biography of Billy Strayhorn entitled Lush Life, I was nearly frightened out of my skin when the largest bug I’ve ever seen fell directly onto the pages of my book. My wife came running thinking I was being murdered by the sound of my screams - thus truly a Ubusuky Ukuthuka! - Night Fright! This is a fun blues to play.