As recorded by the Valley Jazz Orchestra on the album Vicious Fishes approx. 8 min. An adaptation of a piece originally recorded on the album Justin Morell Dectet. The piece is built around an ostinato played by the piano. Virtually every note has a corresponding note to form a perfect fifth. Therefore, intonation is Read more
As recorded by the Valley Jazz Orchestra on the album Vicious Fishes approx. 8:30. An adaptation of a piece originally written for trumpet soloist Ron Miles and later recorded on the album Justin Morell Dectet. This instrumentation existed in an earlier draft and was revised in 2024 for the Lebanon Valley College Read more
Recording is an excerpt from a quartet arrangement. It demonstrates the basic style and feel. Solos in piano, trombone 1, trumpet 2 approx. 8:20 or longer. An adaptation of a piece originally recorded on the album Justin Morell Quartet. The piece leans bossa-nova or slow samba. Piano fills around the introductory gestures. Chord changes Read more
This recording is from the orchestral release. The jazz orchestra version follows the same form and style, with adjustments for instrumentation and orchestration. Justin says: This features the melody that I transcribed from a recording of Loren’s vocalization. Approx. 5 min; this is the first movement, the theme, of All Read more
This recording is from the orchestral release. The jazz orchestra version follows the same form and style, with adjustments for instrumentation and orchestration. Justin says: When you have a child with developmental challenges, you feel a pressure as a parent to take advantage of every second, because you’re told there’s Read more
The audio sample is a demo from my home studio. approx. 10:30 or longer. An adaptation of a piece originally written for septet and recorded on the album Justin Morell Septet. The piece is built around a six-beat ostinato, but is couched in a blues form with a bridge. Several styles are incorporated, Read more
The audio sample is from a septet version and should be used for stylistic demonstration only. approx. 5 min. An adaptation of a piece originally written for septet and recorded on the album Justin Morell Septet. This slow, relaxed swing piece recalls aspects of blues and film noir. It isn’t a technically challenging Read more
The audio recording is a live/MIDI demo in which the improvised saxophone parts are played by guitar. approx. 8:15. A one-movement concerto, this piece requires a separate soloist throughout. It was composed for saxophonist Tom Strohman at Lebanon Valley College. The solo part is intended for soprano, though it can be played on Read more
Recorded on the Valley Jazz Orchestra album Vicious Fishes approx. 9 minutes. This piece features fairly simple, often homophonic, textures against a backbeat shuffle feel. The first alto and first trumpet tend to have the melody notes atop the chordal homophony, so those parts should remain clear in the balance. The passage beginning Read more
For Jazz Orchestra Recorded on the Valley Jazz Orchestra album Vicious Fishes rev. 2024; approx. 9:30. This melodic piece is a contemporary take on the traditional Basie style. Features an extended solo in the tenor saxophone 1 part. The recapitulation gives each player an opportunity to participate in the contrapuntal Read more