Early Autumn

Composed by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman, Arranged by Kevin Walter Murphy for jazz orchestra

Kevin's 2022 arrangement of "Early Autumn" re-imagining of a beautiful composition by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman, reminiscing on the chilled memories of a moment in frozen in time. This piece is all about change and the discomfort and growth that come with it. Written to feature Alto Saxophone, this piece demands a performer who can tell an extended story going through various different modal emotions. This is certainly a challenging piece for any ensemble, but with proper balance and intonation it can truly soar.

Premiered by the Eastman Jazz Ensemble
Recipient of the "Downbeat Student Music Outstanding Arrangement" award in 2023.