Conflict, whether brought on by neglect (Angry winds fostered by climate change bring fire to the Ventura hills), or an insatiable drive for power (almost any war), is avoidable, but what is the answer?
We know the results before they even happen....
(Solos: Amy Hershberger, violin; Luca Alemanno, bass; Bevan Manson, piano; Bernie Dresel, drums) Also: Nancy Mathison, bass clarinet; Geoff Nudel, alto saxophone; Nick Agdag, bassoon; Irina Voloshina, violin)

Fire Horizon

The first in a new series of home recordings of new compositions which began in June 2024. Each of the five takes were very different from one another, although they shared some of the same composed template.

Here & There (fifth take) (Gluck)

An abstraction of "Autumn Leaves," solo piano, June 17, 2024. In a series of solo pieces & improvisations, rough cuts...

Leaves (after Kosma/Mercer)

An abstract solo piano improvisation, June 17, 2024. In a series of solo pieces & improvisations, rough cuts...

Playing (Gluck)

A simple reading of "The Bat" for solo piano, June 17, 2024 - In a series of solo pieces & improvisations, rough cuts... Re-exploring some of Pat Metheny's music as the release of my new book "Pat Metheny, Stories beyond Word" (University of Chicago Press) approaches on August 5, 2024.

The Bat (Metheny)

A new take on the solo piano title track of my 2020 album, "Early Morning Star." The original is on BandCamp at https://bobgluck.bandcamp.com/album/early-morning-star. I'm enjoying revisiting some of the music I've recorded over the years as the spirit moves me. I play them once or twice and upload a recording. Simple!

Early Morning Star (Gluck)

Bevan is active as a composer/arranger/jazz pianist in L.A. He has received composing commissions from Sierra Chamber Music, the Pacific Philharmonic Foundation, the San Francisco Symphony,  the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, clarinetist Gary Gray, and L.A. Chamber Orchestra violist Victoria Miskolczy, among others.

He wrote and conducted string arrangements for saxophonist Gary Smulyan at New York's Blue Note jazz club, and recently wrote string arrangements for Manhattan Transfer singer Cheryl Bentyne’s new Sondheim album, of which JazzTimes Magazine commented that “ a kaleidoscopic, edge-of-sanity Comedy Tonight that, courtesy of arranger Bevan Manson, blends Baroque courtliness with Big Top buffoonery.” He recently produced and wrote arrangements for L.A. singer Cathy Segal-Garcia’s new album as well. 
(If you want to contribute to Bevan's upcoming orchestral album for next year, Paypal is the place: bevanmanson@gmail.com  or see below. Thanks!)

Bevan’s new (mostly) trio album, ‘The Jazz Cave’, has just been released on the Meistero Music label this August.  Also arriving soon is a jazz/studio orchestra CD and a classical CD as well.

His music has been featured in several major films, including Morgan Spurlock’s movie, ‘The Greatest Story Ever Sold’. His music has appeared in several TV series including‘Breaking Bad’.
He has written scores for several independent films including ‘Banya’ ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T58KWe_fcUI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghqD10WF1mc), ‘Killian’s Chronicle’, and ‘The Imported Bridegroom’. 

He also worked on the theme song for the TV series ‘Parks and Recreations’, and has appeared on-camera as a sideline musician on other shows such as ‘House’, ‘My Boys’, ‘JAG’, and ‘Numbers’, among others.

The Washington Post called his Piano Quartet “powerfully polyrhythmic…also with sweet lyricism”.  The piece received an American Music Center (now New Music USA) grant.

Other works of his include a violin sonata, woodwind quintet, woodwind trio, a symphony, string quartets and trios, choral music with orchestra, and music for solo woodwinds.  He is a founding member along with Ed Neumeister and Gernot Wolfgang of the Improvisatory Minds composers group.

 His ‘California Concertino’ was premiered by Katherine Fink of the Brooklyn Philharmonic with Paul Dunkel conducting, and also performed by L.A. Chamber Orchestra flutist David Shostac with the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony.

Fire Horizon

Bevan Manson

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