I am thrilled to have my large ensemble work Concepcion Picciotto performed at the fall Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle. Show location and other details to come.

Concepcion Picciotto is Seattle saxophonist and composer Neil Welch’s most ambitious large ensemble work to date. Totaling nearly 30 minutes, the piece was inspired by the life and death of Concepcion Picciotto, a homeless peace activist who held a 35 year nonstop vigil for nuclear disarmament at the gates of the White House. In the ensemble writing, Neil aspired to capture the dynamism of Concepcion’s tireless mission. The work is scored for saxophone section, string trio, rhythm section, mezzo-soprano vocal soloist and tenor saxophone soloist. Concepcion uses lush orchestration, embedded with Neil’s signature multiphonics (acoustically generated saxophone chords) into the part writing itself. The sweeping landscapes in Concepcion are contrasted by powerful vocal melodies and driving rhythmic grooves.