by Chad Heiny
8 players
Instrumentation: 3 marimbas—(1) low A, (2) low C, Crotales (high B, D, A, E, and low D), Drums (doumbek, bongos, sm./med. conga, large conga, small djembe, large djembe, 2 Chinese toms1, concert bass drum, log drums (4 pitches), Cymbals & gongs (stacked cymbals2, medium China cymbal, tam tam, sizzle cymbal3), Accessories (wooden flute4, gankogui bell5, dark wooden claves, small shekere, large triangle, bamboo wind chimes, woodblock, small Zil-Bell6, seed pod rattle, 2 sets of small glass wind chimes7, tuned gong or prayer bowl (pitched to D), small caxixi (pair)
1Or double-headed concert toms, 2Or ribbon crasher-like sound, 3Or Swish Knocker, 4Optional, 5Or large agogo bell, 6Or LP Ice Bell, 7Or pin chimes
Chad Heiny's brilliant piece Bad Juju juxtaposes deep African grooves played on traditional instruments and dissonant harmonic material played on three marimbas to create a feeling of uneasy suspense throughout the work. Although not a story per se, the piece conjures images of voodooism, bewitchment, and impending doom-sure to raise a few hackles from the listener. There is also plenty of technical demand to satisfy the appetites of experienced players.
Bad Juju was written for, and dedicated to, Omar Carmenates and the Furman University Percussion Ensemble.
This piece comes with a full, bound score and includes a CD-ROM containing an audio recording and all individual parts available for printing.
