G is For Gratitude! G is For Gratitude was commissioned for the 2022 California All-State Junior High School Jazz Band by the California Alliance for Jazz in honor of our dear friend and colleague Michael Gangemi. Many friends and peers refer to Mike as “G” (myself included) — hence the “G” in the title of the composition. Mike’s enthusiasm, big heart and playfulness are just a few of his personality traits that I set out to capture in my composition, a happy yet raucous shuffle, that I feel he would greatly enjoy. Over our years of friendship and admiration for one another, Mike commissioned me to write a piece for the Santiago High School Jazz Band 1 performance at the 2020 CASMEC Conference. The piece, Blues for JM, was given this title at Mike’s suggestion (there’s a long about that title and this is probably not the time to share THAT story). In this new piece honoring G, the main theme of Blues of JM is morphed a bit and given a new setting. I guess it could be said that melodically G is For Gratitude is a further derivation of Blues For JM. I think Mike would love this concept and it seems incredibly fitting that this melody continues to live on just as G’s work as an educational leader will continue to touch and inspire generations of music students and educators to come. Lastly, I included the word gratitude in the title because G was always thankful to his students, and peers and I am truly grateful that he was a part of my life. I am better person for having Mike in my life as a friend and colleague and he will always live on in my heart. Love you madly, G!
Mike Kamuf
23
