All Without Words – Orchestral

The complete original orchestral version of All Without Words is available through John Daversa’s web site. You can find the music here.

Back to the Fuchsia

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 […]

All Without Words – Loren’s Theme – Jazz Orchestra

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 […]

All Without Words – The Urgency of Every Moment – Jazz Orchestra

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 […]

Jungle Book

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, […]

Whirly Bird

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 […]

Azimuth

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 […]

Vicious Fishes

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 […]

Lost in Space

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 […]