“On The Road Suite”
Suite for chamber orchestra
jazz rhythm section, and narrator
Premiered at Kyle Simpson's faculty recital at Washington & Jefferson College, February 19th 2017.
Using portions from Kerouac's "On The Road" and told from the point of view of Sal Paradise, the music takes the audience on a journey through the world of Sal, Dean, Terry, and the many places they visit. Using influences of jazz and contemporary classical sounds, the music aspires to accompany the beautiful poetry that helped define the beatnik generation.
On The Road Suite (2017)
text by Jack Kerouac, music by Kyle Simpson
I. Dean Moriarty
II. Towards the Pacific
III. Bop in the American Night
IV. Hopping the Freight Car
V. The Old West
VI. Terry and the LA Bus
VII. Cotton-picking
VIII. Parting & Autumn
narration by Patrick Arena
Eftihia Victoria Arkoudis-flute
Kira Bokalders-clarinet
André Januário-bassoon
Milt Barney-alto saxophone
Tim Brutscher-trumpet
Kevin Clark-trombone
Crystal Qi--violin
Stephen Weiss-viola
Robin Hasenpflug-cello
Tony DePaolis-bass
Mitch Greco-drumset
Anthony Ambroso-guitar
Alex Ayers-piano
Brandon Collins-vibraphone
Fugue for Three Pianos
for the UZMAH/Upbeat New Music Festival
World premiere in Milna, Croatia
Rehearsal at the UPBEAT Music Festival in Milna, Croatia. Video was taken at the old abandoned cinema in the small fisherman's village. It is truly gorgeous in the city, although this video might not represent that. These musicians did an incredible job performing this rhythmically difficult composition.
“Journey To Wissameking”
Kyle Simpson Conducting Janáček Philharmonic in Ostrava, Czech Republic
“Between Two Worlds”
Premiere at Charlotte New Music Festival
