These are the charts that I believe to be the most adventuresome in my catalog, regardless of difficulty level. They range from edgy pop material to especially modern jazz sounds, and they work well to separate your group from the others at festivals and to challenge your audience to reconsider what vocal jazz groups can do!

Cutting Edge

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

Still Fighting It

Composer(s) -- Chris Cornell
Arranger -- Kerry Marsh
Voicing (with percentage of divisi measures) -- SSATB (S2 42%)
Measures -- 130
Level -- 5
Accompaniment -- Fully-notated piano and bass parts, drums
Original/Reference Artist -- Soundgarden
Performance Time -- 5:42
Meter/Tempo -- most 4/4 @ 96 (improv section with alternating 5/4 bars)
Solos -- SA lyric: 22 bars, Any voice improv: 12 bars
Style Notes -- Rock with jazz reharmonization and jazz voicings
Arrangement Features	Unison ostinato intro, complex accompaniment in choruses, chart builds to finish, power chords in improv section, soft aca break before big finish
Suggested programming role(s) -- Closer or mid-set
Range Extremes -- Sop 1: Bb5
Lyric Summary -- conveys a sense of inner struggle and disillusionment. It describes a world filled with decay and despair. The repeated plea to the "Black hole sun" represents a desire for relief from pain and emptiness. The lyrics touch on the loss of genuine voices and a longing for something authentic.
Demo Credits -- Soprano and Alto Vocals: Julia Dollison
Tenor and Bass Vocals, Piano and Bass programming: Kerry Marsh
Drums: Matthew Chalmers
Commission Credit -- Rodriguez High School Vocal Jazz (CA), Scott Miller, dir. 
Release Year -- 2023

Black Hole Sun (SSATB Lv5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

Composer(s) -- Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton and John Green
Arranger -- Kerry Marsh
Voicing (with percentage of divisi measures) -- SSATB (S2 26%)
Measures -- 191
Level -- 5
Accompaniment -- Fully-notated piano and bass parts, drums
Original/Reference -- Artist	
Performance Time -- 5:43
Meter/Tempo -- 5/4 @ 172
Solos -- S/A lyric solo: 24 bars, Any voice improv: 8 bars
Style Notes -- Complex modern swing
Arrangement Features -- Based on Esperanza Spalding version, Soli section is octaves figure sung in unison with bass, shout half-chorus head out, vamps
Suggested programming role(s) -- Any role possible
Range Extremes -- Sop 1: B5
Lyric Summary -- classic jazz standard that expresses deep longing and passionate love. The lyrics convey the singer's intense devotion, to the point of feeling lost and desperate without the object of their affection.
Demo Credits -- Soprano and Alto Vocals: Julia Dollison
Tenor and Bass Vocals, Piano and Bass programming: Kerry Marsh
Drums and Percussion: Matthew Chalmers
Commission Credit -- Folsom High School Jazz Choir, Curtis Gaesser, dir.
Release Year -- 2023

Body And Soul - KerryMarsh.com Demo

Returning to the catalog after years out of print, this arrangement of "Eleanor Rigby" is an epic a cappella treatment that transforms the Beatles' classic into a dynamic vocal jazz journey. With an extended introduction that travels through several key centers, the piece features an intricate bass vocal part set against surprising modal harmonies above. This collaborative arrangement by Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison employs a wealth of contemporary vocal jazz arranging devices and tonal colors, creating a captivating soundscape that challenges even skilled vocal jazz and pop groups.

Originally written by Paul McCartney and released on The Beatles' *Revolver* album in 1966, "Eleanor Rigby" is renowned for its poignant lyrics and innovative use of classical instrumentation. The song explores themes of loneliness and isolation, which resonate with audiences to this day. 

This chart pushes the boundaries of traditional a cappella, offering a complex and emotive interpretation that leaves listeners truly astonished. Perfect for ensembles seeking a challenging and rewarding piece that showcases their technical prowess and emotional depth.

2012 Releases

Eleanor Rigby (SSATBaB L5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

The new album 'Ember' is officially released.

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

Full Album

Ember

For advanced women's groups! This setting of Julia Dollison's "derangement" of the classic standard pulls no punches, and is meant for top-level high school and college treble vocal jazz ensembles. With challenging harmony for the singers and complex modern conceptual playing for the rhythm section, this chart will push your group to a new level and serve as a deeply artistic take on a familiar song. 

All the Things You Are (SSAA - L4.5) - KerryMarsh.com Demo

The almost-self-titled song from The Bird and the Bee is a surprising but effective vocal jazz ensemble feature. The song features unusual...just about everything...and works especially well if an Rhodes sound is available in performance, but it's all done within the context of a lilting, swinging waltz feel. A brief female soloist is featured. 

Birds and the Bees (SATB - L3) - KerryMarsh.com Demo

'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

Download

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

download

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

https://soundcloud.com/rtikmusic
https://instagram.com/rtik_music
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https://rtik.bandcamp.com

Stream 💙

RTIK || Alone With You (feat. Intermission) [ʜ/ʀ]

available on "beets"
http://birocratic.bandcamp.com/album/beets

download "beets"

orientation

Fans of "Hymn of Acxiom" and "Hide and Seek" will likely be drawn to the power of this setting of Regina Spektor's song painting an impressionistic picture of citizens rising up to take back power from an oppressive government. Interpretations will vary of this beautifully crafted and veiled lyric. The Peter Gabriel version on which this a cappella setting is mostly inspired is wildly dynamic and foreboding, and this arrangement brings out this quality as well as portraying moments of Russian choral music. 

So, you know...a light opener for your advanced eight-part choir. 

The included optional cello part carries the rhythmic pulse at the end of the piece, so when possible, I would encourage its use. The flugelhorn part is slightly less prominent (and is not featured on the demo recording), but may add some interesting color to your performance if the player is sensitive and willing to experiment with avant garde techniques.

Apres Moi (SSAATTBB - L5) - KerryMarsh.com Demo

John Williams - Theme' from Schindler's List (1000% Slower)

Eleanor Rigby (SSATBaB L5) KerryMarsh.com Demo

KerryMarsh.com

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