SKU: P2.30016

Just A Thought is the third of four works commissioned by and dedicated to 78 adventure-seeking tubists representing 30 states and three countries, who fearlessly joined the 2001 Solstice/Equinox Commissioning Consortium to commission James Grant to write four new recital pieces. As each Solstice and Equinox approached during the year 2001, a new piece was sent out to the participants. All four pieces (Stuff, High Autumn, Just A Thought, Endorphins) now exist in multiple versions for orchestral and band instruments and are programmed frequently at conferences and on student and faculty recitals throughout the year. Just A Thought is a gentle, lyrical ballad that, in the end, is just a thought.

SKU: P2.30014

Endorphins is the last of four works commissioned by and dedicated to 78 adventure-seeking tubists representing 30 states and three countries, who fearlessly joined the 2001 Solstice/Equinox Commissioning Consortium to commission James Grant to write four new recital pieces. As each Solstice and Equinox approached during the year 2001, a new piece was sent out to the participants. All four pieces (Stuff, High Autumn, Just A Thought, Endorphins) now exist in multiple versions for orchestral and band instruments and are programmed frequently at conferences and on student and faculty recitals throughout the year. Endorphins is marked aerobic and features, in its middle section, a recap of the principal themes from the first three recital pieces in the set, as well as a brief yet dramatic cadenza for the clarinet.

SKU: P2.30094

Mark My Words, originally for tuba (but just as fun to play on clarinet), was composed by James Grant in February of 2007 as a heartfelt gift to his great friend and staunch musical ally, tubist Mark Nelson, in celebration of their first collaboration fourteen years earlier (Three Furies for solo tuba). Grant writes, When I began composing Mark My Words, I told Mark to be prepared for something fun that sounded like Charlie Brown doing a funky bossa nova (think jazz pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi's Linus and Lucy). I did not tell him that the middle section of Mark My Words would make overt references to all of the principal shapes, motives and themes from the Three Furies - my way of thanking Mark Nelson, specifically, for opening wide the door of composing for tuba and euphonium those many years ago and for so enthusiastically escorting me over that threshold. I am but one of many grateful composers whom Mark has supported over the years by commissioning, then recording their music. Mark My Words is my humble attempts at giving back to this devoted educator, consummate musician, fervent promoter of new music for tuba, and - yes - kickass player..

SKU: P2.30099

Sultry and Eccentric features the solo instrument in two distinctly different musical roles. Sultry is an expressive ballad in the spirit of the familiar jazz torch song, offering ample opportunity for the soloist to display warmth, lyricism and soul. Eccentric, on the other hand, requires considerable technical command as both soloist and accompanist are faced with quirky leaps, nimble runs, and a relentlessly eccentric rhythmic and melodic palette.