From a Memphis Sound press release: For the 2006 season, Memphis Sound presents a cool mix of bluesy jazz, blue-suede soul, and some recognizable "blue" tunes with a show entitled "Shades of Blue."
Memphis is known as the "Home of the Blues," and Memphis Sound pays homage to that heritage while transporting the audience through all the "shades of emotion" that are blue. The repertoire includes: • "Basically Blues"/"Things Ain't What They Used to Be"
• "Rondo a la Blue" ("Blue Rondo a la Turk," "Blue Moon," "Blues in the Night," "Blue Train," "Afro Blue")
• "Blue" by Joni Mitchell
• "Scootin' on Hard Rock" by David Holsinger In the opening statement of "Basically Blues"/"Things Ain't What They Used to Be," the corps says "hello" by teasing the audience with volume and a cool, hip, bluesy feature to get everyone "in the mood." By definition, rondo means movement having its principal theme stated three or more times in the same key, interposed with subordinate themes. In the second number, "Rondo a la Blue" will incorporate very recognizable, but contrasting motives and grooves in a unique way. It will be a fast-paced, fun-filled dialog between brass and percussion.
"Blue" is a beautifully haunting piece by Joni Mitchell. The color guard will help make this one of the most memorable moments of the show through some very expressive guard work. Finally, composer David Holsinger will help the corps deliver its final "punch" with the contemporary, yet soulful, "Scootin' on Hard Rock." This piece will contain plenty of velocity and an infectious build to the end. The audience will leave humming this tune!
"Shades of Blue" is arranged by Terry Jolley (program coordinator), Joe Murphy (brass director), and Michael McCray (percussion director). Other members of the production design team include Scott Koter, Bobby Patrick (visual director), Reed Richardson (drill designer), Elter Wilson (guard director) and Trey Moore.