To Raise Up

To Raise Up (2010) - tenor saxophone, piano, interactive electroacoustics.

Commissioned by Jeff Heisler

Program Note: In the Arab tradition, the call to prayer, known as azán, is not considered singing; rather the Shaykh (or caller) is said to “give” or “raise up” the call. In my studies of the the azán and qur'an recitation I was interested to find out that Shaykh improvise melodies within a given system, similar to what jazz musicians do during an improvised solo. Thus, my influences for this piece come from my own experience with jazz as well as my studies of azán and qur'an recitation. I appreciate that in each art form, similar ideals are expressed; namely casting off our naturally competitive natures, putting aside our prejudices and stereotypes about others and more importantly ourselves, and placing value on spontaneously created beauty.

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