Griffith-Jazz Suite-M

Jazz Suite for Marimba by Joan Griffith was commissioned by Rebecca Kite in 1998 with the idea to combine traditional jazz forms and sound with the use of four and five mallet technique on solo marimba. In "60 Bar Blues" the soloist becomes an entire jazz band complete with bass player, soloist and shout chorus. "December's Ballad" explores the melodic and harmonic possibilities available with the use of five mallets and evokes the stride piano style. "Samba For Jake" was inspired by the samba, Brazil's national dance and by the music of the great Brazilian mandolin virtuoso Jacob do Bandolim. This four mallet piece requires a 4.5 octave marimba (low E).