Composer

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Joe Utterback

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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2:32

Balm in Gilead is a jazz composition by Joe Utterback, an American pianist, composer, and arranger. The piece was composed in 1986 and premiered in the same year. It is a three-movement work that showcases Utterback's unique style of blending jazz and classical music. The first movement, titled "Balm in Gilead," is a slow and contemplative piece that features a haunting melody played by the piano. The melody is then picked up by the saxophone and trumpet, creating a beautiful and melancholic harmony. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonant chords and complex harmonies, which give it a sense of tension and release. The second movement, titled "Swing Low," is a lively and upbeat piece that features a swinging rhythm and a catchy melody. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and improvisation, which are hallmarks of jazz music. The saxophone and trumpet take turns playing the melody, while the piano provides a steady accompaniment. The third movement, titled "Go Down Moses," is a powerful and dramatic piece that features a driving rhythm and a soaring melody. The movement is characterized by its use of call-and-response, a technique commonly used in African-American spirituals. The saxophone and trumpet play the melody in unison, while the piano provides a rhythmic accompaniment. Overall, Balm in Gilead is a beautiful and complex work that showcases Joe Utterback's unique style of blending jazz and classical music. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonant chords, complex harmonies, syncopated rhythms, improvisation, and call-and-response. It is a testament to the power and beauty of jazz music and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries.

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