Urban Black

Urban Black -
5 piece composition:
Alto and Tenor Sax
Piano
Bass
Drums
 
Structure:
The composition is really divided into 3 part viz introduction, section A and section B. 
Introduction has a sense of a typical american jazz feel, whilst section A is more of a Marabi feel and lastly section B has a bossa/ Afrikan feel to it. 
In the introduction I use power chords A5 (13 -#11) and G5 (b9) to avoid an obvious suggestion of which key we in because it is easy to conclude we in C and that the entire intro is chord V with the extensions and avoidance of the 3rd in these two chords.
Section B is divided into 3 parts B (transition), B1 (bossa), B2 (Sangoma grove). Then we have return to the bossa groove that ends the piece.
 
Concept
The idea behind the composition is the overarching philosophy of Black Consciousness, in that Black people must refusing having their lives essentially as if being Black is a one dimensional reality of cow hides and traditional regalia.  
 
The understanding that Blackness is layered and has influences across the globe is an unnecessarily stated fact. Black life can be spiritual, modern and urban.
 
It is therefore in this composition that I explore these influences of what would be South African music.
 
Challenges to be aware of:
 
I am aware of the F# I use in the sax, but I must say most newer instruments have a F# key unlike the old one.
I must affirm that the bass is either a 5 or 6 string bass because there are note (e.g Eb) that a 4 string would ideally not be able to play unless tuning the E string to Eb - which I discourage, rather use 5 or 6 string.
Start of section A - the 1st time bar happens 1st time then upon the repeat it resolves to 2nd time bar with the A on the Alto which is not there on the 1st time bar.
Some of the instructions are deliberately written below the stave because there is no space to write above the stave.
The individual parts are messy - as instructions run over notes some times, I am unable to fix this so I recommend you use the full score.
 
I am using Musescore to notate this composition and I have written to them about these challenges to be assured that sometimes these things happen but they are working on it for newer versions.