The Voices of Air
What does air sound like? Because the trombone is an instrument that depends on air, it made me think about the many voices of air and how we experience it as musicians. The first movement, “Breath,” focuses on the contrast between meditative long, deep breaths and agitated short breaths and how our breathing expresses our emotional states. The second movement, “Airplay,” is an homage to two great jazz trombonists and their recorded works: Urbie Green’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” and Carl Fontana’s “Beautiful Friendship.” I was fascinated with their virtuoso playing and the playful spirit of their music. The title of the third movement, “Floating on Air,” describes a serene and weightless sensation, and the fourth movement, “Breathless,” is just the opposite – turbulent, vigorous and unsettled.
“The Voices of Air” is dedicated to trombonist JoDee Davis, with gratitude to her and to the Curators of the University of Missouri who commissioned this work.
-----Victoria Bond, October 2019