Morris, Ben: Beta Drift

“Beta Drift” refers to the northwesterly direction of hurricanes; each hurricane has a projected path but may drift east or west from this predicted direction. A six-year collaboration aimed at combining contemporary classical techniques with jazz improvisation, Beta Drift similarly drifts from a typical path; it is the child of funky electronica, complex formal structure, lush harmony, and contemporary virtuosity. In addition to fast-paced, energetic, interactive music, the piece features a washy, ambient middle section with plenty of room for free improvisation for the trumpeter. This composition was originally written for trumpet and brass ensemble for Derek Ganong and the Fredericksburg Brass Institute in Summer 2017 and was revised and arranged for fixed media for trumpet in 2018.