Album Notes

David White Jazz Orchestra
FLASHPOINT- Album Notes

“My name is David White…and this is the David White Jazz Orchestra!”

I am deeply humbled and honored by this opportunity to share my music with you. As a composer, most of my work is autobiographical in nature and I’d like to give you some insight into the life stories behind the selections on this album:

1. David Danced Before the Lord With All His Might- Duke Ellington, arr. By David White

In the history of music, Duke Ellington is the one musician I most admire and whose spirit I would most like to emulate. David Danced was first performed by Ellington’s orchestra in 1962 as a part of his First Sacred Concert presented at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. The composition depicts a scene from The Book of II Samuel where King David danced joyously to celebrate the recovery of the Ark of the Covenant. Ellington’s score calls for tap dancers and that inspired me to incorporate a certain sense of animation and playfulness into my arrangement.

Soloists: Omar Daniels-alto sax
Michael Irwin- trumpet
Paul Francis- drums

2. Eyes Closed-David White


The physical expression of love.

Soloists: Nick Consol-piano
Sam Dillon-tenor sax

3. Love in a Blue Time- David White

I wrote this piece while reading a book of the same name by British-Pakistani author Hanif Kureishi. Kureshi’s work explores themes of intimacy and isolation in the modern world. My composition is a musical response to Kureishi’s ideas.

Soloists: Andrew Gould-alto sax
David White-trombone
Nick Consol-piano

4. First Light- David White
I wrote this one during a very troubled time in my life. During this period, I would often lie awake all night consumed by dark thoughts. This composition represents the sense of relief I would feel upon seeing the first rays of sunlight in the morning.

Soloists: Sam Taylor-tenor sax
David White-trombone

5. Secrets- David White

What lies beneath.


Soloist: David White-trombone

6. I Have a Bad Feeling About This- David White
Right after college, I had the misfortune of working as a public school teacher in The Bronx. I wrote this composition to give voice to the apprehension I felt in that situation.

Soloists: Volker Goetze-flugelhorn
David White-trombone
Stephen Plekan-baritone sax

7. Pandora- David White

The unintended consequences of naïveté.

Soloist: Sam Taylor-tenor sax

8. I’ll See You in Court- David White

This composition was inspired by events that are too involved to go into here. Let’s just say there was some…unpleasantness.

Soloists: Andrew Gould-alto sax
Rick Parker-trombone
Nick Consol-piano

9. First Lullaby- David White

I wrote this for my darling baby boy a few weeks before he was born. Gabriel, your dad loves you more than anything in the world.

Soloist: Volker Goetze-flugelhorn

10. Mister Shepherd’s Blues- David White

My Grandad enjoyed giving colorful nicknames to the people he cared about and he rarely referred to anyone by their actual name. When I was a young boy, he dubbed me “Mister Shepherd.” This one is dedicated to his memory.

Soloists: Melissa Gardiner-trombone
Sam Dillon-tenor sax
Miki Hirose-trumpet