“Sliding to the Picardy” words & music by Dann Zehr c. 2015 
Here's my tribute to the non-profit, a cappella group, Nashville Singers. 

I got the idea for this song when I was still observing at their rehearsals in January 2015, and there was a "Picardy third," in one of the pieces.  Being a new song, part of the men raised the third, but part of them stayed on the minor and just laughed about it.  Well, I thought it was funny and enjoyed the group's camaraderie so I got the idea for "Sliding to the Picardy" from that.  I've heard several jazz artists who have written tributes to other jazz artists, so in my own, limited capacity, that was the impetus behind this.  

Also, since the group raises money for music scholarships in the Middle Tennessee area, I thought it would be fun to use as a tool to illustrate some music theory.  If you listen, do me a favor & crank it from the outset so you can hear the first chords.  They're symbolic coming from "all over town" since the members also come from different parts of Nashville.

Notes:

* I threw structure out the window & made it somewhat  through-composed vs strophic (if I'm remembering those terms correctly from college?), w/ exception of the A & B sections' repetition.  Generally, each section after is melodically different.

* This is somewhat of a "music wonk" song & for those familiar w/ music theory terms, but can also be a love song.  For instance, the average listener not knowing the theoretical term "Picardy Third" may picture "The Picardy" as a hotel or restaurant where the couple is walking in the snow, rain, etc.  

* Tribute to an artist (e.g., as "Birdland" was to Charlie "Bird" Parker / "Hearing Take 5" by Michael Franks was a tribute to Dave Brubeck / "Berimbau" & "Velez" by Kenny Rankin were tributes, etc.)

* "North Star"/ main idea = "Harmony" - most phrases are different ways to say the concept of "harmony" (e.g., "general consensus of sound).

* "Tonal" painting - (i.e., onomatopoeic treatment of words/terms such as "from all over town" "Picardy" "tessitura" "two or nine" "six or seven" {"Sixth of Naples” = “Neapolitan Sixth" which is the major chord a ½ step above the tonic}) 

* Incorporates parts of the Nashville numbers system which I thought appropriate given the name of the group.

* Brief nods to Manhattan Transfer's versions of "Mystery" & "Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square."

"From all over town" paints that idea where the tenor part goes from to top to mid-range, bass goes from bottom to mid-range to meet tenors in the middle, musically illustrating coming from "all over town."

I sang all the parts myself & they were recorded by my Friend, Joey Hodge.

I also made a short video of the track here:  http://web.photodex.com/view/7p68b2x4

"Sliding To The Picardy" words & music by Dann Zehr c. 2015, vocals by Dann Zehr

Dann Zehr