Charles Booker... News & Reviews

The Recording Session

Posted by: Charles Booker on June 14, 2007

I was approached at the 2006 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention by Dr. Ken Van Winkle, Director of Bands and conductor of the Wind Symphony at NMSU, about the possibility of recording a CD of my compositions, especially my "Symphony #1." Of course, I thought it was fabulous idea!!!

After much preparation and correspondance, Claudette and I visited Las Cruces, New Mexico May 14-15, 2007 to attend and assist in the recording of my music by the New Mexico State University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Van Winkle. I am honored and at the same time humbled by the experience.

Although graduation was over and school was out, the students remained in Las Cruces to record the CD. They were prepared, excited and inspired by their very talented and articulate conductor and the band played great! The recording session was scheduled for three days, but since the the band performed so magnificently, the session lasted only two days. In addition to Centra-fuge: Homage to Don Ellis and Hank Levy the following works were recorded:

• Carillon Celebration
• Symphony #1 "Prophecy"
• American Dances
• The Rough Rider: Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt

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