Have you every imagined the sound of inspiration, redemption, and creativity? This composition is the musical depiction of the Lotus Flower in its transition from a swamp flower to a blossoming beauty. No matter the hurt, destruction, the unsettled feelings that may arise in one's life, like the lotus, one can rise from the ashes of defeat and portray the beauty ordained by their creator.
It is important to note that this composition's title is a musical tribute to a popular visual art exhibit in a city considered the birthplace of jazz. Keeping the origin of the title in mind, composer Ayatey Shabazz, a Gulf Coast native, uses the musical canvas to paint an aural picture of the struggles of growth. This piece presents listeners with a tour through the swamps of the New Orleans area with hints of Jazz. From the sounds of the Big Band that one may hear on stage to the Brass Bands made popular along the streets of the French Quarter. These are all sounds that could be heard as one travels through the marshlands of the swamp. A colorful display of the many musical traditions found in the area, Shabazz uses the Marching Arts to create an intercontinental experience through the beauty of African and European melodies supported by rhythms and harmonies that reveal the geographical influences of the Caribbean and Latin America.
This musical journey will surely inspire performers and listeners alike. Sure to be a great addition to your competition repertoire, your marching ensemble will blossom with the sounds of THE LOTUS IN SPITE OF THE SWAMP.