projects
Flowers of Evil
Flowers of Evil is an evenings-length song cycle for chamber-jazz dectet based on the poetry of 19th cent. French poet Charles Baudelaire in the poetry collection of the titular name.
Original score by Annie Booth for: soprano, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, reed 1 (flute, alto sax), reed 2 (tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet), piano, acoustic bass, drum set.
Composed at the Banff Centre in January 2017 as part of their Musicians-in-Residence Program. Premiered March 14, 2018 at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, CO.
Flowers of Evil is a multi-movement suite of Booth's original music set to the beautifully dark poetry of 19th century French poet, Charles Baudelaire and the 1864 collection of the same name. The piece lives between the boundaries of jazz, chamber music, and art song, seeking to illuminate the intersection and convergence of poetry, improvisation, and emotion. "Flowers of Evil," sung both in French and English, brings the complex world of Charles Baudelaire's 19th century Paris to modern times though Booth's compelling music.
The ensemble at the 2018 premiere comprised of: Kathryn Radakovich (soprano), John Gunther (reeds), Anisha Rush (reeds), Brad Goode (trumpet), Adam Bartczak (trombone), Adrienne Short (violin), Kari Clifton (cello), Patrick McDevitt (double bass), Alejandro Castaño (drums and percussion), and Annie Booth on piano/conducting.
Annie Booth began composing the piece as a Musician-In-Residence at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada in January 2017 and will be recording the work in 2021 with a release scheduled for 2022. To stay up to date with the upcoming Flowers of Evil recording and future performances, please subscribe to Annie's email updates.
Annie Booth Big Band
Established in 2019, the Annie Booth Big Band is an 18-piece jazz orchestra led by Booth that performs her original compositions and arrangements. At the core of the big band are her longtime friends and musical collaborators in the Annie Booth Trio, Patrick McDevitt (bass) and Alejandro Castaño (drums) and the ensemble features a diverse cast of the best and brightest jazz musicians in Colorado and beyond including the likes of veteran all-stars such as Greg Gisbert (Maria Schneider Orchestra, Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra), Paul McKee (Woody Herman Orchestra), and Wil Swindler along with the newest generation of up-and-coming jazz artists including guitarist Tim Wendel, alto saxophonist Anisha Rush, vocalist Jenna McLean, trumpeter Sonya Walker, and many more. The Annie Booth Big Band delivers a dynamic, beautiful, and groovy array of fresh original music.
Annie Booth's big band music has been performed by elite professional bands (the U.S. Navy Commodores) and colleges and universities around the U.S. and Canada including Vanderbilt University, University of Colorado, University of Wyoming, University of Nevada-Reno, Old Dominion University, and more. Her big band scores and parts are available for purchase, and she maintains an active schedule as a university guest artist and clinician in the big band capacity. To get in touch with an inquiry, click here.
Annie Booth Trio
The Annie Booth Trio, featuring longtime friends and musical collaborators Patrick McDevitt (bass) and Alejandro Castaño (drums) has been a unit since 2010. The group has performed across the U.S., from Seattle to jazz clubs in the midwest (Chicago, Des Moines, etc) to SXSW in Austin, TX and has recorded two albums together, The Annie Booth Trio with Max Wellman (2018) and Festive! (2016), in addition to a collaboration with Seattle-based saxophonist Steve Treseler (The Snow Line Suite, 2020).
The Annie Booth Trio maintains an active performance schedule around Colorado, enjoying several artist-in-residencies at Nocturne Jazz Club and the annual Charlie Brown Christmas show at Dazzle Jazz Club, now in its 7th year with the Annie Booth Trio. The ABT has made festival appearances at the Telluride Jazz Festival, Niwot Jazz Festival, City Park Jazz (Denver), Crested Butte Jazz Festival, and more.
Notable recent performances have included the Boulder Theater in support of Joey Alexander (July 2019).
