Review

Alice Gomez
Concerto di Jazz :

Louisville, KY, United States
Publisher: Potenza Music Publishing
Date of Publication: 2013
URL: http://www.potenzamusic.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

The composer states the following about this work: Concerto di Jazz was commissioned by William Peter Kline in 2001. This composition is reminiscent of my experiences as a high school drummer playing in my family's dance band. The first movement, Let's Boogie, depicts the excitement that I felt at the beginning of each performance. The second movement, Fox Trot, reminds me of checking out the good looking "foxes" with my siblings at the gigs. The third movement, Nice and Sloe, brings to mind my first taste of alcohol, a Sloe Gin Fizz. The fourth movement, Last Call, characterizes the relief of finally ending a four-hour gig.
 
Alice Gomez is internationally recognized for the wide variety and quality of her compositions. She has been commissioned by noted soloists and ensembles and has received numerous awards. She has served as Composer-In-Residence with the San Antonio Symphony, the Midland-Odessa Symphony, the Performing Arts Center of Gallup, New Mexico and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Currently she is the Director of Programs for the San Antonio College Department of Music in Texas.
The Concerto features some of the rhythmic and melodic gestures of traditional dance band styles of the past. However the harmonic language, although still tonal and conservative, is more adventurous. The technical, musical and range demands are well within the capabilities of a good college level performer. The solid musical content also invites professional recital performances.

-Karl Hinterbichler
University of New Mexico