Tiny Alligator Music

Tendency no. 4
the tendency towards restlessness

I’m getting a little impatient with the format of these posts, so instead of talking about the song today, let’s talk about the singers.

Alex Samaras will sing No. 4. He’s a pretty rad singer.  They’re all pretty rad, Kristin, Jen and Alex. They’ve been giving me some politely raised eyebrows in rehearsals, and I could tell that at first they were all, “you want me to sing what? With who?”

I was lucky enough to write each of their parts with their voices in mind. While I’ve had a few range fails (sorry Kristin! I’ll fix it as soon as I post this), I tried to write each melody not just for their range, but for their instrument too. In the same way that I’m trying to figure out how mix bassoon and oboe with jazz trumpets, this show is all about learning how to mix an operatic soprano, a jazz alto and, well, whatever Alex Samaras is (henceforth, let’s refer to him as Mansinger).

Having had the privilege of writing for Jen’s voice for many years now, I can hear that giant, laid-back, creamy awesomeness that I know she’ll  make in certain registers (see recording of “Sugarcube” at www.tinyalligator.com). And I’ve worked with Kristin before, and understand the epically life-changing sound that happens when she opens her mouth (see Mvt 3 of “Goat Songs” at www.myspace.com/tinyalligator).

But! What happens when they sing two different parts in the same song, together, at the same time? And then a Mansinger comes along, and they sing a trio? And then we add a plot, and try to develop it with all three of them singing with this weird wind ensemble/jazz band thing I have? In rehearsals, I’ve been emphasizing how much I want them to keep their own sounds, instead of trying to match their tone to the style of singer standing beside them. We can match vowels and all, but I want three distinct tone qualities. Like when I ask Lina Allemano, trumpet, to match the articulation and phrasing of Dan Breilmaier, oboe, but also to keep her jazzy goodness fully intact.

Who knows what will happen. Actually, you will know, but only if you come to hear us this Thursday. Even if the experiment fails, all three of our singers will be wearing excellent hats, and will tip them to you, and experience which I’m sure will be well worth the price of admission.


Addendum: Opening act, Ronley Teper. Her voice. When she sings! It’s amazing.