The Ravello Records release ACE COMPOSERS features the music of three composers in the same family: Alan Schmitz and his two sons, Christopher and Eric. Though Alan describes the three composers as having different influences, their music is linked by connections to popular musical genres, which each references in some manner in a work featured on the album. Alan Schmitz’s Brass Trio features a ternary structure distinguished by the presence and absence of what he describes as ‘exordium’ (the technique of instruments sharing one note and then gradually spreading it outward). Christopher Schmitz's Five Miniatures, for saxophone and mallet percussion, is highly atmospheric and speaks to, in its film noir character, his experience as a film composer. Trio, for flugelhorn, English horn and cello, by Eric Schmitz, represents a rare opportunity to hear the flugelhorn, which is overwhelmingly associated with jazz music, in a more classical setting. The source genre of all three composers indicate the Schmitz family are all attracted to popular “non-classical” idioms and incorporate these into their compositions. All of the Schmitz composers’ music is widely performed. Alan has published articles on composing for the guitar. Christopher is attentive to film scores, while Eric prefers composing for jazz and big band. • Alan Schmitz is Professor of Theory and Composition at the School of Music, University of Northern Iowa, and has received several awards and commissions from agencies including the Alaska Council of the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, the University of Northern Iowa and the Lila Wallace/Readers Digest Foundation • Christopher Schmitz is Associate Professor of Theory and Composition at the Townsend School of Music, Mercer University, and his scores accompany feature films including “Dance with the One” (2010 SXSW Film Festival Selection) and “Between Kings and Queens” (REMI Winner, 43rd Annual WorldFest – Houston International Film Festival • Eric Schmitz is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at SUNY Oswego, and is the recipient of two Downbeat awards: “Best Jazz Arrangement” for his orchestral arrangement of Harold Danko’s For Bud in 2003 and “Original Composition – Best Song” for his big band piece In Your World in 2004 • Alan Schmitz has released two albums previously on Ravello Records: 90s TIMEFLOW (RR7821) in January 2012 and LYRIC IMAGES (RR7837) in May 2012
Artists
Monty Cole (alto saxophone), Marcus Reddick (marimba), Randy Grabowski (trumpet), Yu-Ting Su (horn), Anthony Williams (trombone), Charles Pillow (cor anglais), Bob Sneider (electric guitar), Jeff Campbell (bass), Rich Thompson (drums), Emily Duncan (flute), Thiago Ancelmo de Souza (clarinet), Leonardo Perez (violin), Matthew Laughlin (cello), Korak Lertpibulchai (piano), Andrew Thierauf (percussion), Wannapha Yannavut (percussion), Brian Shaw (flugelhorn), Andrew Blanke (cor anglais), Hyugrai Kim (cello), Amy Schwartz Moretti (violin), Elizabeth Pridgen (piano), Michael Davis (tenor trombone), Julia Bullard (viola), Todd Seelye (guitar), Kelly Via (flute)
David Gompper
