Intermission Riff Analysis

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Intermission Riff
The song that I chose to write about is Intermission Riff composed by Ray Wetzel and originally recorded by Stan Kenton and his Orchestra. I have chosen three of my favorites versions and performances of this song. The first one is an original recording by Stan Kenton and his orchestra performing live in London in 1972. Another version is specifically on of my favorites because it incorporates voices and lyrics to the song. The final version I will discuss is one played by a small combo called Brighton Jazz.
Live in London
First I would like to describe in detail my analysis of the first version which was recorded live from London in 1972. This particular version of the song is performed by Stan Kenton's big band orchestra. …show more content…

The most obvious difference is that it is performed by a combo (quartet to be specific). It is not much different from other versions in terms of form. There is still and intro, the head, then a solo section, which can be looped, and finishing off with the melody one last time. The group that is performing calls themselves "Rockin in Rhythm". The British quartet is comprised of a Trumpet (played by Joe Hunter), a Tenor Saxophone (Robin Watt), guitar (Jason Henson), and Dan Sheppard on the bass. It is really easy to appreciate the simplicity in the few voices that are playing. I wouldn’t let their candid "street performance" mislead me doubting their …show more content…

Each of the 3 versions are very different from one another. In fact, they are quite different from the original recording by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra. The version that I would say remains the closest to the original is the one Recorded live in London by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra. However, even then, you can tell that he had grown and developed even more as a pianist and a band leader. The same can be said for the instrumentalists that he used in London as well. I'm not quite sure what this effect is called, but it's almost like sometimes when a band director hands out music for the first time, and his band sight reads it very well, and plays with a sense of novice, and no preconceived notions. This produces a different sound and way of playing than is produced once that same band practices and gets more familiar with the piece of music. In no way am I saying one way is better or worse. My only point is that the variation in the way it was performed is quite intriguing to the trained musician's ear.
In the recording from the album "Artistry in Voices and Brass," one can clearly get a sense of how adding lyrics and human voices can give the piece an entire new feeling and purpose. A major distinction of this song, and a primary reason I chose it, is the use of very close-clustered and dissonant harmonies in the countermelody and

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