The rhythms of Las Vegas inspired composer Nathan Tanouye to write a jazz orchestral suite that has its world premiere this weekend.
Tanouye, an accomplished musician and faculty member at UNLV, wrote the music for “Las Vegas Suite,” and singer Clint Holmes contributed the lyrics.
Their collaboration will debut on Sunday, April 30, at The Space, a new venue just north of the Orleans. Find more information here.
The show is presented by the American Jazz Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jazz.
KNPR's State of Nevada spoke to him in September. Here is part of what he said then about the piece:
“The Las Vegas Suite is comprised of a multi-movements. Each one has a different feel to it,” he told KNPR's State of Nevada. “I’m writing it based on the variety of things we have here in this city.”
He drew inspiration from the natural beauty of the desert and the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip.
Tanouye said his compositions are really just music he hears in his head and tries to channel.
“I don’t really know," he said "I kind of consider myself an antenna when I write music. I just listen to the music. It’s already in my head or some sort of space up here. And I just write down what I hear”
Nathan Tanouye, "Las Vegas Suite" composer