New for 2025-26

WWU Vocal Jazz 2020-2021
Still Fighting It (Ben Folds/arr. Kerry Marsh)

Still Fighting It

The new album 'Ember' is officially released.

Go grab a copy at kubbi.bandcamp.com/album/ember

Full Album

Ember

Part of the “Refreshed” series, this SSATBaB (with vocal percussion) update of “Selfless, Cold and Composed” reworks my 2008 chart originally written for the Sacramento State Jazz Singers’ feature on Ben Folds Presents College A Capella. Now in a key suited for a baritone/tenor lyric soloist (in the spirit of Folds’ recording), with a more accessible bass range and shared melodic opportunities across sections. A 3/4 jazz waltz feel throughout, with richly varied ensemble textures and polyphony via open-score writing. Includes scat solo space. Best programmed mid-set.

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Selfless Cold and Composed "Refreshed" (SSATBaB Lv 5) - KerryMarsh.com Demo

This brand new accompanied version of Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity” brings fresh life to one of our most popular early-2000s charts. Part of the “Refreshed” series, this update includes fully-notated piano, bass and drums parts while retaining all the slick harmony, bounce, and groove that made Kerry’s original version a favorite among students and directors. Still built around a super danceable shuffle-funk groove, the chart includes the iconic, jazz-inspired 7-bar verse progression and layered, syncopated ensemble rhythms. A soprano/alto soloist carries the lyric, with two spots for a breakout S/A soli group in the texture and space for vocal improv solos (open to any voice part) in the middle and at the end. Altogether, this is a hard-grooving, crowd-pleasing tune that disguises its darker lyrical undertones behind infectious rhythm and vibe. Great as an opener, closer, or anywhere in your set—it’s a guaranteed audience-mover, and now it’s easier than ever to put together with your group.

Fully-notated piano, bass and drums

Virtual Insanity "Refreshed" (Accompanied) (SATB Lv 4) - KerryMarsh.com Demo

This SSATB arrangement stays true to the original recording from Willow’s 2024 album Empathogen, capturing its energy and rhythmic complexity with minimal deviation. The chart features a lyric solo for soprano or alto as well as ensemble lyric sections, all layered over shifting meters—alternating 4/4 and 3/4 in the verses and pre-choruses—before locking into a head-nodding eighth-note drive during the choruses. The surprising yet grounded progressions carry the emotional weight, while moments of hemiola and syncopated ensemble writing challenge and energize the group. The mood is serious and contemplative, with rich textures supporting the song’s theme of self-reflection and transformation. Fully-notated piano and bass parts plus drums round out the rhythm section. With a powerful build that sustains through the final chorus, this one can anchor any spot in your set—opener, closer, or somewhere in between.

Symptom of Life (SSATB Lv4) KerryMarsh.com Demo

Part of our “Refreshed” Series, this updated take on our 2005 arrangement of I Want You Back celebrates the chart’s 20th anniversary with a fresh coat of paint and—finally—a proper studio demo. Much of the original arrangement remains intact, but several key sections have been smoothed out to be more friendly for the ensemble and more effective for the audience, especially the last phrase of each chorus, which used to be a major difficulty spike. Scored for SSATB with fully-notated piano and bass parts plus drums, this version keeps all the rhythmic drive and energy of the original, including a super-fun group soli that evokes the iconic octave guitar hook from the Jackson 5 track. A few sudden reharmonization moments lend a contemporary twist, and there’s space for a lyric soprano or alto soloist as well as optional improv (vocal or instrumental—one scale works great throughout). It’s dramatic, engaging, full of dynamic nuance and a surefire crowd-pleaser. Feels nearly perfect as a show opener or closer…your only challenge will be deciding which.

I Want You Back "Refreshed" (SSATB Lv3.5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

Breathless began life with CPR, the jazz-rock outfit David Crosby steered from 1997 to 2004, and it arrives here in an SSATB package with fully notated piano and bass plus drums driving a flowing but syncopated rock groove. I learned about this song due to a tip from my friend Trist Curless (Manhattan Transfer, m-pact), who sent the tune over as one of those “you have to hear this” finds; its blended three-part harmonies and Crosby’s unmistakable compositional fingerprints immediately felt tailor-made for a vocal jazz treatment. Gaw Vang-Williams felt the same and commissioned the arrangement for her Folsom High School Jazz Choir and she also lended her singing skills to the demo.

A short tenor or baritone lyric solo opens the chart, briefly morphing into a duet before the ensemble steps in to take over the verse and chorus lyric, and eventually to lay down backgrounds for an improvised feature—vocal or instrumental—then everything lifts into a rousing final chorus. Directors will notice how the jazz-inflected changes keep singers on their toes without turning rehearsal into a grind, and the rock foundation with full notation helps rhythm players lock in right away. Program it wherever your set needs an energy boost; the piece can work as an opener or closer, but will more often a special and unique moment for the middle of your show.

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Breathless (SSATB Lv3.5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

Yebba penned “October Sky” as a tender tribute to her late mother, and this SSATB setting holds that vulnerability front-and-center. Scored only for piano and bass accompaniment (and fully-functional without bass as well), the texture stays exposed and fragile so every note lands with meaning. The soloist trades Yebba’s trademark melismatic phrases with the ensemble, which also provides richly voiced backgrounds at times. Everything is carefully notated, although your lyric soloist may find that diverting from the written lines will bring better personal phrasing at times. Harmonies are only slight deeper than the original, orchestrated with a variety of densities as you’ve come to expect from Kerry’s arranging approach. A fleeting cigarette reference has been swapped for and alternative text, keeping the chart festival-friendly without dulling its honesty.

Musically it’s a slow burn that demands both jazz chops and emotional maturity. Place it in the reflective ballad slot, bracketed by lighter tunes so the lyric can resonate. A gut-punch, yes, but one that teaches both restraint and full expressiveness, rewarding choirs willing to inhabit every moment of its wide range of storytelling power.

October Sky (SSATB Lv4.5) KerryMarsh.com

'Replaced' is now available everywhere you can listen to music ~ 

Spotify | bit.ly/replaced-SP
iTunes + Apple Music | bit.ly/replaced-IT
Bandcamp | bit.ly/replacedEP
SoundCloud | bit.ly/replaced-SC

read about my inspiration for the project >> www.replaced.co

Many thanks to Paul for tickling the Rhodes on this joint.

Replaced

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Layback (feat. Paul Sottile, Jr.)

Birocratic - Blue Hour V3.0 - Leftovers

it's a pretty cutthroat work-focused society over there

http://birocratic.bandcamp.com/album/beets-4

beets 4

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Corporate Japan

One of the newest tracks on the album, this song was directly inspired by walks around the Marina Green (near the Golden Gate Bridge) in San Francisco very late at night near the end of last year. There is something spiritual for me about walks at 3am or 4am; I love the stillness, tranquility, and feeling that the entire landscape is yours.

I fittingly debuted this record during my nearly 5-hour set at Audio in San Francisco—my first headline show.

Nightwalk

Spencer Brown - Nightwalk (Original Mix)

buy / stream : http://hyperurl.co/DuwxzcYAjn0
download : https://heroboard.es/v2/?id=DuwxzcYAjn0

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Breathless (SSATB Lv3.5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

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