Steve Peters (1959-)
The Webster Cycles (1980-81)

The Webster Cycles, scored for six trombones, is at times lush, at times stark, always engaging. From moment to moment, an individual trombone voice calls out or a trombone crowd murmurs or a few voices unite in contrapuntal or parallel efforts. It blends the abstract with the idiomatic. Pure tones hang serenely in the air as noted trombonist and new-music champion J.A. Deane‘s lively ornaments and articulations acknowledge his instrument’s long association with various types of jazz. The wonderful, subtle inflections and tonal shadings that Deane brings to each phrase imbue the piece with a vibrant, palpable sense of energy and motion. (30-minute CD EP, in digipak)