A medium-up tempo, straight-ahead, thirty- six measure composition that is constructed of two mirrored, eighteen-measure phrases. The chord changes are challenging, requiring a working understanding of chromatic modal harmonic principles. The arrangement features two solo sections, one of which includes orchestrated backgrounds in the horn section. Programatically, this piece works well as a set opener because of its rhythmic and harmonic intensity. Instrumentation: Trumpet or Alto Saxophone, Alto Saxophone or Tenor Saxophone, Trombone or Baritone Saxophone with Piano and/or Guitar, Bass and Drums.

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RICK HELZER has served as the Associate Director of Jazz Studies in the School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University since 1986. He is the coordinator of the undergraduate and graduate jazz theory programs and has authored all the text materials for those courses. His original compositions are published by UNC Jazz Press and Hal Leonard Corporation as well as sixteen more appear on nine albums. Many of the albums have been reviewed in Jazz Times, Cadence, Option, Coda, Saxophone Journal, International Trumpet Guild Journal, Jazz Journal International and the Los Angeles Times. He is also recording an album of his original compositions that features bassist David Friesen and flautist James Newton. Since August of 1999, Rick has written for Jazz Improv magazine contributin solo transcriptions, annotations, articles and record reviews.