New Work: PANTHERA LEO (Chris Burnett, BMI)

PANTHERA LEO (BMI Work No: 011472335) is a long form composition in 3/4 time that is based in the modern jazz traditions of cyclical chord progression supporting the thematic material and the C minor blues during improvised solo sections.

Panthera Leo by Chris Burnett (BMI)

COMPOSER’S NOTES

The lush sound of 5-note chord harmonies and use of harmon mutes in the trumpets during the introduction set the anticipatory mood of PANTHERA LEO. A front line of Alto Saxophone 1, Tenor Saxophone 1, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet 1 and Trombone 1 carry the bulk of the thematic material. Solos changes are written for Alto Saxophone 1, Trombone 1 and the Drum Set.

The modern sound of the melodic theme is the result of the chord progression’s root movement being comprised of augmented cycles. The orchestration aspects of the arrangement were not limited to any technical considerations due to the inherent cool jazz approach to this composition.

PANTHERA LEO was written for the Lansing High School Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Luke Johnson. Having gotten to know the LHS jazz program over several years and witnessing the constant technical and musical development of the ensemble has been encouraging.

Since this is an experienced group, the endeavor was to write something for large jazz ensemble that was outside of the types of typical selections usually programmed or heard played at a typical high school jazz band concert program.  The LHS school mascot is the lion …

And, although the goal was to introduce a modern jazz sound to the concert audience, the musical asthetic remains within the reach of even the most casual of modern mainstream jazz music listeners.

[Mock Up DEMO produced using Finale notation software.]

Christopher L. Burnett, BMI
Composer (© 2010)

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FACTS ABOUT THE PANTHERA LEO

The lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae and one of four “big cats” in the genus Panthera. The lion is the second largest cat, after the tiger. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, weighs between 330 to 550 lb (150 to 250 kg). Females range 260 to 330 lb (120 to 150 kg). In the wild, lions live for around 10 to 14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20 years.

Though they were once found throughout much of Africa, Asia and Europe, lions presently exist in the wild only in Africa and India. [more]