Part of my inspiration in creating music for Post Pardon is to bring in the spontaneous, organic impulses that are inherent in the creation of jazz and in what I perceive to be at the golden center of much art of the African Diaspora. In this way, it feels like an appropriate way to collaborate with the visual, dance and poetic expression of the piece.

It has been exciting to find ways to bring the individual creative voices of the orchestra and vocalists into a group sound by incorporating improvisation, not only as jazz ‘solos’ but with complete orchestral ensemble improvisation. In addition to traditionally scored pieces, the group in the Maine workshop experimented with  group improvisations generated off of original musical riffs by the orchestra members and myself as well as following conducted improvisations, and pieces where our entire ‘score’ was improvised from watching the choreography unfold in the moment. Vocalists had sections where they improvised their music with given text, and others where they were encouraged to create their own cadenzas and offer suggestions for altering existing lines. 

Throughout, there was negotiation with many of the orchestra members and vocalists about how to interpret both the written and open sections. This kind of dialogue was new to many of the players, and allowed a level of trust and engagement that only ensemble improvisation can bring. It brings an openness and newness to the sound, an unpredictability that enhances the existing material. I was honored to work with musicians who were so willing and able to use their musical skills to explore this sonic landscape together. 

- Jessica Jones, Composer

Check out our interviews with Post Pardon vocalists and instrumentalists about their experiences in our opera workshop below!