Hello, everyone, and welcome to my blog! For those who don't know, I used to post on this blog every Sunday, but after moving to Instagram (@thomasjenkinscomposer), I do most of my updates and news there. I only post here if something deserves it, and a new piece is certainly a worthy subject!
Yesterday, on April 13, the North Gwinnett High School Big Band(s) performed at the annual Suwanee Arts Festival. I am honored that a new piece, called "Showtime," opened the hour-long set. If you weren't there, you have two more opportunities to hear it: April 20th at the first ever NG Jazz Festival, and May 7th at the high school. "Showtime" is a flashy, energetic swinger that is my tribute to the classic dance hall music of the 1930s and 1940s. It is inspired in part by F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, in particular the extravagant opulence and deranged partying of the title character's estate. A central theme is introduced by the trombones before being passed to the saxophones. The chaotic middle section features the individual sections of the jazz band all playing their own individual melody on top of each other, before the ending brings back the main melody with a bang. I'm very proud of how the piece turned out, and I will upload it to all the usual places once I get a good recording of it. Stay tuned!
-- Thomas
