3D: Dizzy, Duke and Dave is a new consortium commission by composer Brett Keüper Abigaña. The brainchild of Dr. Abigaña and Thomas Slabaugh II, Instrumental Music Director at Davis High School in Davis, CA., 3D will be written for jazz band and wind ensemble as a modern take on a concerto grosso. In placing these two ensembles together, the hope is that two often separate branches of a single music department can collaborate in a way not usually possible, with each still playing to its strengths.

The title refers to not only the spacial aspect of two ensembles in relation each other, but also to three jazz composers whose styles were heavily influenced by, and indeed changed classical music: Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Dave Brubeck. Each of the three movements of 3D will draw on their compositional styles. The first movement, Dizzy will explore the theoretical concepts Gillespie regularly explored in his writing and improvising, and which he often explained and taught to the musicians who played with him. Naturally, this fast movement will be quite chromatic, with irregularly constituted phrases and surprising harmonic and melodic turns. The second movement, Duke, will be an homage to Duke Ellington’s use of the blues in his writing. Rather than rehash the 12-bar progression outright, the blues will inform the structure of the movement in a behind-the-scenes way, so that its influence is felt, rather than directly heard. The third movement, Dave, will focus not only on Dave Brubeck’s penchant for oddly-metered tunes, but on his mastery of harmony and phrasing. All three movements will provide ample opportunity for improvisation in the jazz ensemble, and will remain as flexible as possible so that ensembles can utilize stronger players appropriately.

Anticipated Duration: 15 minutes

Anticipated Grade: 4-5

Delivery Date: September 15th, 2024

Consortium Buy-In Per Ensemble: $300, payable by check, PO, Venmo, or PayPal (contact Brett for details!)

Exclusive Performance Period: January 20th, 2025 - January 19th, 2026

Composer will attend premieres and rehearsals whenever possible.