Composer

As a composer and arranger, I seek to celebrate two disparate influences: the harmonic subtlety and textures of contemporary composers like Christine Jensen and Maria Schneider, and the sophistication and idiosyncratic swing of Thad Jones. This results in pieces (like my arrangement of High and Dry) that celebrate a certain voicing or the texture that results from pairing flutes with muted brass, while combining intertextual references from the mainstream jazz tradition. In doing so, I seek to put my own influences, and the music I love, in conversation with each other and the audience. I think the future of big band music lies in clever arrangements that challenge and support the tradition while incorporating autobiographical influences (for me, that means bringing alternative rock into the large jazz ensemble landscape). My large ensemble compositions have been performed by university and high school level big bands, including Boston University, Colleges of the Fenway, College of the Holy Cross, Nipomo High School, Old Dominion University, and at summer music camps.

As a small group composer, I create subtle grooves with dense harmonies, and sly, hummable melodies. I’m most happy when my tunes are changed organically in the context of performance. I trust my collaborators to re-define the shape of the tunes, and enjoy leaving space for them to create and challenge each other. Like my own musical goals, I write for musicians who trust each other and keep open minds and ears.