Theodore Presser Griot Song - Hailstork - Alto Saxophone/Marimba

Composer: Adolphus Hailstork
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone/Marimba

Hailstork's jubilant and fascinating duo is inspired by the West African griot storytelling tradition. Hailstork writes, "The griots sang and told stories, so I imagined one playing the sax accompanied by marimba, an instrument developed in Africa." The marimba drives a tricky set of almost-regular patterns providing a lively accompaniment for the saxophone which plays the lead part that is sometimes lyrical and sometimes ornate.