Wind Quintets of Don Gillis

We are excited to announce our next recording project: the complete wind quintets of Don Gillis.  Previously unrecorded, Gillis’ three suites for wind quintet display his lighthearted mid-century style — inflected with jazz and a great sense of humor, and impeccably attuned to the colors and idioms of the wind quintet.

We’ll be recording in beautiful Voertman Hall at the University of North Texas this weekend with engineer Greg Dixon.  Look for some new group photos coming soon, and more details about the project and our fund-raising effort later this summer.  In the meantime, we’ll try to post photos from the session, and here are the work titles and movements:

Don Gillis – Suites for Wind Quintet

Suite No. 1 for Woodwind Quintet, “The Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare” (11:00)
I. Bre’er Rabbit Dreams
II. They’re Off
III. Mr. Tortoise Wins the Race

Suite No. 2 for Woodwind Quintet, “Three Sketches” (13:00)
I. Self Portrait
II. Sermonette
III. Shadows

Suite No. 3 for Woodwind Quintet, “Gone with the Woodwinds” (13:00)
I. Take Five Blues
II. Five Piece Combo
III. Frolic in B-Bop Major