Every Way But Forward (Perc Ens 7)

Every Way But Forward is a high-energy Latin-inspired percussion ensemble piece with plenty of tasty licks and big ensemble moments. A great closer for a concert that will both challenge an ensemble and get any audience grooving along.

Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 7
Series: N/A
Level: Intermediate | Duration: 7:45

Instrumentation
Tenor Steel Pan
Vibraphone
Marimba [4.3-octave]
Synth Bass (or Keyboard MIDI Controller, such as MalletKat or malletSTATION)
Drum Set
Congas
Auxiliary Percussion: Cowbell, Tambourine (or Shaker), Triangle

Program Notes
Every Way But Forward was originally written as a Latin/jazz tune and was performed regularly with my group consisting of guitar, electric bass, drum set, percussion and myself on pan. We would typically open concerts with it as it became one of our signature tunes. At one point the percussion students at Oakland University, where I teach, approached me about doing a percussion ensemble arrangement. I obliged and the students did an incredible job performing this challenging arrangement.

This piece is heavily inspired by the modern Cuban genre Songo as well as Calypso and of course Jazz.

– P.F.