DESCRIPTION:
From "The Sweet Science Suite" CD. Fred Ho and the Green Monster Big Band. http://www.bigredmediainc.com

Soloists: Fred Ho Baritone Sax, Earl McIntyre Trombone, Ben Barson Baritone Sax.

The CD is currently available at http://www.mutablemusic.com

Jacob Epstein arrangement of Ellington's classic In A Sentimental Mood, now re-titled by Fred Ho as "In A Pan-African Mood", an evocation and conjuring to mother Africa and its cultural heritage as the source for anti-imperialist and anti-technocentric inspiration.

When Fred Ho was a high school student in Amherst Ma in the 1970's , he studied with University of Massachusetts Music professors Archie Shep, Max Roach, Dr Fred Tillis and Jake Epstein.

This work was inspired by a performance at UMass by Professor Shep on "In a Sentimental Mood" with the UMass Jazz Work Shop ensemble directed by Dr Fred Tillis. On this selection, the Voices of New Africa Chorus directed by Dr Horace Boyer accompanied the ensemble and Professor Shep on the piece which was arranged and conducted by Jake Epstein.

Many years later, Fred Ho commissioned Jake to recreate the arrangement for the Green Monster Big Band.

An integral member of the 70's concert was Dr Royal Hartigan who was then a music student at UMass. He is heard here soloing throughout the piece on a native West African Donno drum which simulates the "Talking Drum" so key to the spirit of African culture and music.