Sasparilla, John Mackey~UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble~Homecoming Concert

UL Lafayette Wind Ensemble, William J. Hochkeppel, Conductor

Homecoming Concert "The Spice is Right" 23 October 2009

Saparilla (2005), John Mackey (b. 1973)

This is John Mackey's first original composition for band. Named after an alcoholic beverage created in New Orleans, Sasparilla features many sounds of the Old West. You can hear him referencing cowboys, horse-back riding, driving cattle along the old dusty trail, a mexican cantina, and even a visit to the saloon! It is definitely a cartoon-y piece, and very fun to perform. According to my band director, it sounds like Blazing Saddles, or an old Tex Avery cartoon featuring Yosemite Sam.

This piece features accordion (played by Nathan Turner). Also, in lieu of a contrabassoon, we have employed a serusaphone (played by Emily Hunt). Also, see if you can spot the bottle of brandy on the piano!

I had a great time performing this piece (I'm the piccolo player, by the way), and I hope you have just as much fun listening to it!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Music
• Band
• University
• Louisiana
• Lafayette
• Homecoming
• Wind
• Ensemble
• Sasparilla
• John
• Mackey
• Blazing
• Saddles
• Cowboy
• Serusaphone
• Accordion
• Western
• Texas
• Cartoon
• Yosemite
• Sam

[bassgoonist]

Not really sure what is happening at 6:26 but I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to sound quite like that...

[dwieselmcallister]

@bassgoonist UL doesn't have a contrabassoon. That's a serusaphone you're hearing.

[rinkals373]

tenor solo=amazing;) and slightly seductive;)

[JEWong47]

Ah I wanna play this song badly XD

[dbrockbassoon]

@skateit812 Your type of comments are unwelcome anywhere.

[skateit812]

Tenor solo you suck. Only good part of the entire song and you ruined it.

[Hockeyrocks229]

below average

[bassgoonist]

@dwieselmcallister Well that certainly explains it. I guess it's not bad given the style. Still...no contrabass clarinet either?

[d1galan]

get em bari player! thats my line brother!

[taylorandbrianshow12]

very nice! the intro could've been better, but oh well. difficult piece. GOOD JOB! and may i say? nice job tenor sax! i play tenor too :) best instrument ever!