Nightowl Suite, Movement 1

Commissioned by the Kentucky Music Educators' Association for its 2002 All-State Jazz Ensemble, the inspiration for this medium-advanced, up-swing release comes from the music of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Birdland, NYC's legendary jazz club. Though improvised solos are assigned to trumpet and trombone, chord sheets are included so anyone can serve as soloist. Mike's score calls for five trumpets, and the chart takes about six minutes from start to finish.