American Dance Music
by Daniel McCarthy
Horn - Sheet Music

Chamber Ensemble Brass Quintet & Percussion (Bb Trumpet 1-2, F Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Drumset, Xylophone) - medium difficult

SKU: CN.06670

Composed by Daniel McCarthy. Score and parts. Duration 12:00. Published by C. Alan Publications (CN.06670).

American Dance Music celebrates uniquely American music popularized by American dance crazes. A sophisticated hoe-down leads into a Latin dance combined with a Baroque cannon! The slow Serendae recalls the 40s style slow dances while Jazz brings the 50s to the table. The finale, Rockit, is infused with elements of jazz, rock and funk.

AMERICAN DANCE MUSIC was commissioned by RHYTHM & BRASS in 1995. McCarthy was asked to compose a piece that would be musically challenging for the group and appealing to audiences. Thus, such a work was written by McCarthy that celebrates uniquely American music popularized by American dance crazes. The Unsquare Dance pairs the tuba and xylophone in a sophisticated ~hoe-down with frequent meter changes creating music that is ~un-square. Latina is patterned after the ~Lambada," the dance made famous in the film "Dirty Dancing." Latin rhythms combine with a Baroque style canon. Serenade recalls the ~40,s style slow dance with a Tommy Dorsey-like trombone solo and a musical language of modem jazz. J~ borrows from the 1950ts be bop era and the like of Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Stan Kenton with another tuba and xylophone duet. ROKl71 is unabashedly dedicated to the composer~s favorite rock/funk group, Tower of Power. With the all important drum solo, this movement combines the elements of jazz, rock and funk so prevalent in the 70,s styles of groups such as Tower of Power, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Chicago.