Review

James Markey
Suite of Negro Spirituals:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Solo Bass/Contrabass Trombone - with piano

James Markey, bass trombonist of the New York Philharmonic, has arranged three spirituals into a suite that he also recorded on his first bass trombone compact disc titled On Base. The spirituals: Deep River, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, and Go, Tell it on the Mountain, are uniquely presented and each one contains a few surprises.
	
Deep River begins with the traditional melody played slowly and lightly swung. A Harmon mute is required for a quasi-improvisational section that should be played freely and with great style.  In contrast, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is faster and presented in triple meter instead of the usual 4/4. The different meter leads to an interesting treatment of the melody, one that is full of unusual syncopations and phrasing. The last movement, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, is treated in a more traditional manner. After a slow and declamatory opening the melody is presented in a gospel-rock style and covers a wide melodic range, FF to b-flat1.  
	
Mr. Markey has assembled a nice collection of music that is often neglected on the concert stage. These songs have a rich history and should be familiar to all musicians. They are not for the timid, however. These arrangements need to be played convincingly to be most effective.
     
-Eric High
St. Norbert College