Gary Washburn, from Ke Ola Magazine
Gary Washburn, Jazz musician, composer, and director of Grammy-winning Honoka‘a High School Jazz Band for more than 30 years has a reputation nationwide as one of the best music educators in the business. On Saturday, October 27, he will debut his original musical work, “Earth Life: October Full Moon” at Honoka’a Peoples Theater at 7 p.m.
Essentially a jazz/fusion composition, the work includes various musical styles, including traditional and contemporary jazz, funk, pop, ethnic and in some passages, classical. The performers will be Washburn, Alex Czerny, Doug Johnson and Noa Eads. The seven-part suite for two pianos and percussion will be “live recorded” by Emkay Records, Kent Washburn producer, for worldwide distribution.
“I like to write ‘programmatic music,’ i.e., music that is inspired by non-musical ideas,” said Washburn. “Classical Impressionism is an example of programmatic music. I took the idea of mankind’s relationship to the Earth and came up with the titles. Then I began writing my musical impressions of the titles.” Inspired by a solar eclipse, Washburn began writing what would be “Earth Life: October Full Moon” in 1976, and will essentially complete the vision that began with his original work “A Life in a Day” over 30 years ago.
As a prelude to the “October Full Moon” premier, Gary Washburn, Brian McCree/bass, Bruce David/drums, Paul Lindbergh/tenor sax and flute and Doug Johnson/percussion and vibes will perform additional original music by Washburn.
Admission to the concert is $10 adults, $7 kupuna, $5 keiki and students, available at the door. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/EarthLifeOctoberFullMoon or email catherinetarleton@gmail.com
