by John Mackey
Album Title: Asphalt Cocktail: The Music of John Mackey
Recording: Dallas Winds
Conductor: Jerry Junkin
Soloist: Christopher Martin, trumpet
Publisher: Reference recordings RR-144
John Mackey’s works for band have become very popular with today’s bands and wind ensembles. The title work is a five minute musical joyride which can be an ideal opening work. Sheltering Sky is a portrait in serenity that was commissioned by a junior high school band. Antique Violences is a four movement concerto for trumpet and band which casts the soloist in the role of musical protagonist. The Frozen Cathedral is resplendent with the sounds of metallic percussion, and bass flute in C creating a chilling atmosphere that later grows in emotional intensity. The Ringmaster’s March is a symphonic “screamer” in the tradition of the grand circus. These are a few of the compositions featured on Asphalt Cocktail performed by the magnificent Dallas Winds conducted by Jerry Junkin.
