The University of Central Arkansas Wind Ensemble, Conductor Dr. Ricky Brooks, commissioned me to compose a new piece for them in celebration of their 100th anniversary. It is entitled "Centra-fuge: Homage to Hank Levy and Don Ellis". I chose the title from the word, centrifuge, a mechanical device causing centrifugal force. This force impels a "thing" or parts of a thing outward from a center of rotation (Webster). The University is the "center of learning" that teaches and prepares students to begin their journey in this world and to have hopefully, a positive impact on our society and nation.

Hank Levy and Don Ellis are both famous for writing jazz and "world music" compositions that incorporated "non-traditional" (for Western jazz musicians) time signatures, including 3/8, 5/8. 7/8, 9/8. 11/8, 15/8 and even 23/8. They often changed the time signatures from bar to bar. Hank Levy is most famous for his work for the Stan Kenton Orchestra and The Don Ellis Band, a very popular experimental big jazz band in the 60's, both of which which played his compositions.

Central University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble