The Funk Fugue

At first, a classical fugue and funk music seem worlds apart. But they share something in common: Complexity. Imagine both as musical puzzles: Fugues are weaving the same melody and various other counter-melodies together, creating rich textures; and funk is known for its intricate rhythms, and syncopated beats to create grooves. So, in the summer of 2022, I started working on "The Funk Fugue" for piano, electric bass, and drums, as a rough sketch that eventually was forgotten.

Then, in August 2023, my friend and fellow hornist, Drew Schulz, asked if I could write a piece for the graduate brass trio at the University of Arkansas. Drew, along with Kizer Brown on trombone and Henry Sargent on tuba, formed the trio. I thought it sounded like an interesting project so I said I would write for them.

As I brainstormed ideas for the group, I dug up old sketches and realized that "The Funk Fugue" could be a perfect fit. It had the right mix of complexity and elements of fun that I thought they'd enjoy. The piece blends the structure of a fugue with funky rhythms and grooves, and even throws in a nod to my rock music roots. As the piece goes on, it gets more and more complicated. Different melodies and rhythms get chopped up and mixed until finally, all the instruments come together to play the main theme.