Gary Washburn, director of the Grammy Award-winning Honokaa High School Jazz Band for more than 30 years, will debut his original musical work, “Earth Life: October Full Moon,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Honokaa People’s Theatre. Performed by Washburn, Alex Czerny, Doug Johnson and Noa Eads, the seven-part suite for two pianos and percussion will be recorded live by Emkay Records for worldwide distribution.
Gary Washburn, director of the Grammy Award-winning Honokaa High School Jazz Band for more than 30 years, will debut his original musical work, “Earth Life: October Full Moon,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Honokaa People’s Theatre. Performed by Washburn, Alex Czerny, Doug Johnson and Noa Eads, the seven-part suite for two pianos and percussion will be recorded live by Emkay Records for worldwide distribution.
Essentially a jazz-fusion composition, Washburn uses various musical styles, including traditional and contemporary jazz, funk, pop, ethnic and in some passages, classical.
“I like to write ‘programmatic music’ — music that is inspired by nonmusical ideas,” said Washburn. “Classical impressionism is an example of programmatic music. I took the idea of mankind’s relationship to the Earth and came up with the titles. Then I began writing my musical impressions of the titles.
“I wrote a suite called ‘A Life in a Day’ as a project to fulfill a National Endowment of the Arts grant that was awarded me, and I performed it to fulfill a Hawaii State Foundation of the Arts grant that was also awarded me,” said Washburn. “I composed the music in Hilo specifically for the individuals (the group Justin Thyme) who performed the music, much in the same manner that Duke Ellington composed for his band.”
Washburn’s new release will essentially complete the vision that began with “A Life in a Day” more than 30 years ago.
As a prelude to the premiere, Washburn, joined by Brian McCree on bass, Bruce David on drums, Paul Lindbergh on tenor sax and flute, and Johnson playing percussion and vibes, will perform additional original music.
The concert is a one-time chance to play a part in the creative experience, as the live-recorded music will be available digitally on websites such as iTunes and Amazon, and on CD through Amazon’s Disc On Demand program.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for kupuna, $5 for keiki and students and are available at the door. For more information, visit facebook.com/EarthLifeOctoberFullMoon or email catherinetarleton@gmail.com.