The Bridge (Pt. 1 & 2)

As recorded on Junk Wagon: The Big Band Album, The Bridge (Part 1 & 2) is an amalgamation of many various elements “jigsawed” into one piece. It combines inspirations from both the East Coast and the West Coast (Dave Douglas, Jaco Pastorius, Adam Rogers, Marc Johnson, John Abercrombie, John Hollenbeck, and others). It uses motivic cells and themes written over a 20-year time span and was titled in dedication to the recording studio where it was recorded in Glendale, CA, The Bridge Recording. The composition begins with an asymmetric phrased E minor pentatonic circular bass line, played by both the bass and piccolo. The sparse, “jabby” melody is introduced in Eb minor, creating a polyphony effect over the bass line in e minor. The “B” section aligns all parts into Eb minor. The last A section returns to polyphony with an added canon subject played as a countermelody by the piccolo and flute. The C section offers a new element in 6/8 + 5/8in eb minor. The main solo section plays with the asymmetric phrasing and half-step modulations for a percussive, rock influenced trumpet solo. Before long, there are chants of “Step, Step, Side to Side” which serve as a rhythmic clave to the extended vamp phrase. As the trumpet solo progresses a spoken word element is added. There is also a “slow-down” section before the tempo snacks back to a tempo for trading between the trumpet and guitar. What is labeled as "Part 2" from the recording, begins with the canon subject heard earlier in the arrangement, this time played by all the woodwinds. Eventually, all motifs in multiple keys are brought back and quickly developed before an extended solo for the drums over the 6/8 + 5/8 section.

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