Today’s download of the week is "Nica’s Day" from the second New York Composer’s Orchestra record on New World Records. The album is entitled “First Program in Standard Time”.
Scored for jazz orchestra, the track is a baritone sax feature, with the amazing Sam Furnace taking the solo on this version. Sam has left us, and we all miss him.
It was written when our daughter Nica was a toddler, and I post it today in honor of her 30th birthday, just a few days ago.
There have been many songs written that included the name Nica. This is, of course, in honor of the Baroness Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter (née Rothschild), friend of Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and many other jazz legends. (
bit.ly/1X2kOBx)
Nica’s Dream, Pannonica, Nica Step’s Out, Nica (Royal Flush) are just a few of the many tunes written in her honor.
I decided at the time to continue the tradition, but with a twist, written in honor of another woman of great intelligence, charm, wit, and grace: albeit 14 months old at the time.
Basically a sort of convoluted riff tune, it felt like it had the spirit of a toddler exploring the world, and making a “day” of it. Pulling everything off the shelves, walking through Tompkins Sq. Park, napping and laughing and crying and just figuring it all out.
I hope you enjoy the music.