Tony Osborne: TWO in TIME, Duets for 2 double basses

About the Compositions

TWO in TIME brings together three exciting and vibrant duets for the advanced double bass duo. Each offers a range of musical and technical challenges for both bassists, in music which is inventive, rhythmically charged and brimming with life and character. Tony Osborne was a past-master at employing different musical styles to create mini-tone poems which are instantly appealing to players and audiences alike.

Grooves for Ray is a lively and enjoyable duet written in memory of the leading American Jazz bassist, Ray Brown (1926-2002). It has great forward momentum and drive and is a true audience pleaser. Pizzicato and arco styles are exploited to the full, as are various jazz idioms, in a work which is great fun to play.

Danzón Mambo is dedicated to the memory of Israel López, better known as ‘Cachao’, who was a pioneer of the Afro-Cuban dance style known as mambo. Infused with Cuban rhythms and influences, the piece is vibrant and exotic with challenging and inventive double stops for both players.

Memories of Youth was composed in 2009 to commemorate the 90th birthday of the Czech double bass virtuoso František Pošta (1919-1991). Influenced by Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen, the music is lyrical and engaging with something of interest for both players. The edition includes versions for intermediate and advanced bassists.

The edition includes a score and individual parts.

About the Composer

Grooves for Ray is a lively and enjoyable duet written in memory of the leading American Jazz bassist, Ray Brown (1926-2002). It has great forward momentum and drive and is a true audience pleaser. Pizzicato and arco styles are exploited to the full, as are various jazz idioms, in a work which is great fun to play.

“Ray Brown was acknowledged as the most respected jazz bassist of his generation. His reliability, sound, sense of timing and unique personality graced and enlivened the finest names in jazz for several decades. Whilst saddened at his sudden passing, still in his prime, I was honoured to be asked to write this musical tribute.

Grooves for Ray is in four, short, contrasted sections for two double basses and provides scope for ‘tight but relaxed’ ensemble, both parts have the opportunity to ‘lay down’ some nice jazz bass lines. Section one is a bold but ‘easy’ swing with some punchy, rhythmic turns of phrase, followed by a faster, crispier, lighter mood, with gently urgent momentum. Section three is in the same tempo, with a more solid rhythmic feel, and the final section brings us to a ‘laid-back’ tempo, and a very ‘cool’ twelve bars that take the piece to a peaceful and loving farewell - and thanksgiving - for a true genius.” [Programme note by Tony Osborne]

Grooves for Ray was premiered by David Heyes and Peter Leerdam at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on 5 October 2002, as part of the 4th Wells Double Bass Workshop.