Jammed (2018)

for orchestra (2.2.2.2 4.2.3.1, tmp, 1 perc, hp, strings)

Duration: 3’30”

Commissioned and first performed by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Elena Schwarz

Archival recording available at request

Program note

The title Jammed has two meanings. It refers to the main musical riff which is repeated and reimagined throughout: it is implied that the players are part of an improvised jam session, freely drawing from funk, rock, and metal styles. The work also embraces the idea of ‘jam’ as something which is ‘stuck’. This is heard in the piece through jarring brass chords and rapid changes between sections, which could be likened to a CD skipping or vinyl warping.

Performances

27 June 2025, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Umberto Clerici, Gladstone Entertainment Centre, QLD

28 September 2023, Uppsala Chamber Orchestra, Eivind Aadland, Uppsala Concert & Congress,  Sweden

30 June 2023, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Luke Dollman, Silos & Symphonies, Grainger Studio, Adelaide, SA  

4 June 2023, Stonnington Symphony, Ingrid Martin, Malvern Town Hall, VIC

22 April 2023, Nurnberger Symphoniker, Gordon Hamilton, KIA-Arena, Nuremberg, Germany

21 April 2023, Nurnberger Symphoniker, Gordon Hamilton, KIA-Arena, Nuremberg, Germany - EU Premiere

16 March 2023, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Eivind Aadland, Federation Concert Hall, Hobart, TAS

11 February 2023, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Jessica Gethin, Symphony on the Waterfront, Devonport, TAS

21 January 2023, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Ben Northey, Symphony Under the Stars, Parramatta Park, NSW

1 July 2022, Bishop Symphony Orchestra, Ingrid Martin, State Music Camp, The Leonardian Centre, St Leonard’s College, VIC

12 November, 2021, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Luke Dollman, Silos & Symphony Schools Series, Grainger Studio, Adelaide, SA

18 August, 2021, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Luke Dollman, Silos & Symphony Schools Series, Grainger Studio, Adelaide, SA

19 June 2021, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Luke Dollman, She Speaks, Elder Hall, Adelaide, SA

17 August 2018, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Elena Schwarz, Hobart, Tasmania, TAS - World Premiere

Sample Preview

Reviews and Words

From here, the concert finished with another composer with Tasmanian affiliations, Holly Harrison. As Cawrse suggested in her introduction, Jammed reflects Harrison’s sense of fun, cheek and love of rhythm. This piece sounds like a semi-improvised jam session, a nearly psychedelic take on Bernstein, reflecting a similar love and the brash and popular rhythms leading to a humourous and deflating finish.

(Brett Allen-Bayles, Limelight) Full article here.

Watch and listen to their reaction to Holly Harrison’s Jammed to close out the concert, replete with trombones falling over, fits of hysteria from the double basses and finishing an ASO concert in Elder Hall with a gleeful vibraslap. People love different and new, they just don’t know where to find it.

(Martin Cheney, Reviews by Marty) Full article here.