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The Gennett Suite is now available in limited release!
The 4 movement, 1 hour 20 minute long jazz suite is a tribute to Richmond, Indiana’s Gennett Records and the jazz greats that recorded there in the 1920s: King Oliver, Jelly Roll, Hoagy, Bix, and Louis. As such it recognizes the critical role that these musicians, this studio, and the state of Indiana played in the worldwide popularization of Jazz and the development of a distinct American identity and character.
The Suite was inspired by such jazz classics as Tin Roof Blues, Chimes Blues, Davenport Blues, Stardust, Riverboat Shuffle, King Porter Stomp, and more! Wallarab’s composition takes these songs, expands them to a 17 piece jazz orchestra, and gives them a modern, fresh twist while remaining true to their original nature.
The BWJO recorded The Gennett Suite in Bloomington in August of 2022 and the CD and vinly LP sets are available. Noted jazz historians John Hasse and David Brent Johnson are writing the liner notes. Classic artwork for the cover and discs is complete and both a website and documentary (the recording session and interviews with key principals were taped) are under development.
Available Now!
Gennett Suite – Deluxe Vinyl Edition 2LP
Gennett Suite – Premiere Vinyl Edition 2LP
The Gennett Suite will be preceded by Wallarab’s arrangement of Aaron Copeland’s famed Fanfare for the Common Man as commissioned by Indianapolis’ Melissa and Ted Mau.
About Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra
Founded in 1994, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra has been a mainstay on the Indianapolis jazz scene for decades with notable accomplishments including over 1000 public performances, a 12+ year residency at The Jazz Kitchen, and 8 internationally released CDs. Co-leaders Mark Buselli and Brent Wallarab were inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame in 2017 and in 2011, their album Basically Baker Vol 1 was included on the list of Best Jazz CD’s of the Decade by Downbeat Magazine. Buselli is chair of the jazz studies program at Ball State University and Wallarab is The David N. Baker Professor of Jazz Studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Tax deductible donations
The Gennett Suite project is being fully funded through tax deductible contributions. Proceeds from the sales of CDs, LPs, and more will further fund the Hoagy Carmichael Award for Excellence in Jazz Composition at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and, beyond that, future Buselli / Wallarab Jazz Orchestra Projects.
Donations may be made through checks payable to the Indiana Entertainment Foundation with Gennett Suite noted in the memo line and sent to:
Indiana Entertainment Foundation
THE GENNETT SUITE
c/o The Buchanan Group
2020 Montcalm Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Or, donate online here. Select “Gennett Suite Project” from the dropdown to earmark your contribution.
Learn more about Gennett Records here.