(2023) Baião N’ Blues
Baião N’ Blues
Duration: 9 minutes
Program Notes:
“Baião ‘N’ Blues” is an orchestral composition celebrating the vibrant fusion of two diverse musical worlds. Inspired by Brazilian music’s lively rhythms and infused with the soulful essence of American blues, the piece explores cross-cultural musical influences. Juxtaposing Brazilian themes with bluesy inflections, the composition presents a seamless and delightful blend of harmonious colors. Throughout the orchestral journey, a sense of lightness and humor permeates the musical landscape, inviting the audience to engage in a spirited dialogue. Commissioned by KMFA for the University of Texas Orchestra under conductor Douglas Kinney Frost, “Baião ‘N’ Blues” showcases the power of music to transcend cultural boundaries and connect people through the art of listening.
Instrumentation
Flute (2) Oboe (2) Bb Clarinet (2) Bassoon (2)
Horn in F (4) Bb pt (3) Trombone (2) Bass Trombone Tuba
Timpani Percussion (2)** Piano Strings
Percussion 1:
- Tubular bells
- Large Bass Drum
- Marimba
- Cabasa
- Vibraphone (shared with Percussion 2)
- Agogos
- Xylophone
Percussion 2:
- Snare drum
- Suspended cymbal
- Sizzle cymbal
- Crotales
- Tam Tam
- Ride cymbal
- Hi-hat
- Shaker
- Caxixi
Performance History
Sep 24, 2023 — KMFA Residency (World Premiere of "Baião N' Blues"
2024
Aug 11, 2024 — Baião N' BLUES at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
2025
Jan 25, 2025 — Baião N' Blues with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Jan 26, 2025 — Baião N' Blues with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Feb 15, 2025 — Baião N' Blues (Spartanburg Philharmonic)
Mar 28, 2025 — Baião N' Blues | College Band Directors National Association Conference, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Jun 20, 2025 — Grant Park Festival | Baião N' Blues
Jun 21, 2025 — Grant Park Festival | Baião N' Blues
Jul 7, 2025 — Baiao N Blues | National Repertory Orchestra, Mike Stern
Jul 14, 2025 — Orchestre National de France, under Cristian Macelaru perform Baião N' Blues (2023) Overture for Orchestra
Jul 24, 2025 — Baião N' Blues | New Hampshire Music Festival
Oct 3, 2025 — BAIAO N' BLUES
2026
Jan 24, 2026 — Baião N' Blues | Canton Symphony (Roger Kalia)
Mar 27, 2026 — Baião N' Blues | Oakland Symphony, cond. Kedrick Armstrong, Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA
May 2, 2026 — Baião N' Blues | Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra