David Heyes: A Little Jazz Suite: 5 Pieces in 1st Position for unaccompanied double bass

Table of Contents

1. Way Out West

2. Another Fine Mess

3. One Good Turn

4. Perfect Day

5. Leave ‘Em Laughing

About the Compositions

A Little Jazz Suite was composed in February 2023 and is aimed at young bassists of all ages, from eight to eighty. Written in First Position and playable pizzicato or arco, each piece includes a small number of keys, notes and rhythms, and there are no dynamic markings allowing each bassist to create their own unique interpretation. Some pieces are lively and upbeat, others more reflective, and they can be performed as a suite or individually.

“Young bassists enjoy playing 'jazz,' and these new pieces use a limited number of notes and rhythmic patterns, with repetition added to develop technical skills, and I hope they will be useful for teachers and students alike. I really enjoyed writing each piece, trying to think what a young bassist is able to play, and hope that I have got it right.

There are many performance and study possibilities with these pieces. They can be played as a solo or with the addition of percussion (drum or bass), also as a duet with the music shared equally between the bassists and bass percussion added between the solo sections. Bassists are nothing if not inventive, and I am certain they can come up with many ideas and initiatives.

Arnold Schoenberg once said that "there is still plenty of good music to be written in C major" and I think 1st position is the same. Young bassists need plenty of new repertoire, in a wealth of different styles and idioms, and I hope 'A Little Jazz Suite' adds to the mix.” [David Heyes]

About the Composer

David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman.

David's collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.

David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 29 countries across five continents. He is a D'Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.