Composer

Lack’s compositions include works for solo percussion, percussion ensemble, string quartet, saxophone quartet, mixed ensembles, computers, video game consoles, jazz combos, blues bands, calypso ensembles, soul bands, and other combinations of musicians.

Program Notes
to the above tracks.
1. A and A Truck and Auto Salvage is featured on the live cd, “Bumpin’ at the Whiskey,” by Aaron’s fusion group, Asteroid. This sample features Lack on vibraphone, guitarist, Darin Layne, bassist, Rich Stanmyre, and drummer, Jeremy Brown. This extremely limited release can still be purchased in mp3 format at www.DarinLayne.com/stuff.
2. Always On My Mind is a blues tune that Aaron composed for Michigan based jam band, Red Fish Blue Fish. The now defunct (and de-funked) ensemble featured Aaron Lack on drums, Tone Freds on harmonica, tenor saxophone, and vocals, Adrian Begale on guitar and vocals, and Jon Herrmann on bass.
3. Auto Repair Suite: Movement 2 – Mirror is part of a larger work for jazz septet. This version features Lack on drums, Hamilton Price on bass, Jeremy Brown on vibraphone, Matt Russell on piano, Claudio Gariazzo on trombone, David Renter on tenor saxophone, and Joey Colaruso on alto saxophone.
4. Bouncing Quarters is one of Aaron’s compositions for jazz septet, It features Lack on vibes, Joey Colarusso on alto saxophone, Dave Renter on tenor saxophone, Claudio Gariazzo on trombone, Matt Russell on piano, Hamilton Price on bass, and Jeremy Brown on drums. A different recording of this tune is on a CD by AIME and is available on Viewpoint Records. The CD, as well as other fine recordings. can be purchased at: www.viewpointrecords.com.
5. Brownian Motion is a piece Lack composed for the organ trio, The Organic Mechanics, in 2007 and is a tribute to the music of James Brown and drummers, Clyde Stubblefield and Jabo Starks.
6. Bumpin’ at the Whiskey is the title track of the live cd by Aaron’s group, Asteroid. This extremely limited release can still be purchased in mp3 format at www.DarinLayne.com/stuff. This sample features Lack on vibraphone, guitarist, Darin Layne, bassist, Rich Stanmyre, and drummer, Jeremy Brown.
7. Comal is featured on the live cd, “Bumpin’ at the Whiskey,” by Aaron’s group, Asteroid. This extremely limited release can still be purchased in mp3 format at www.DarinLayne.com/stuff. This sample features Lack on vibraphone, guitarist, Darin Layne, bassist, Rich Stanmyre, and drummer, Jeremy Brown.
8. Dark Polarization Number One The idea that light and dark energies exist in all things is explored in this piece. This sample features a trio of former students at Central Michigan University.
9. Iberian Fantasy This is a piece written in the Jazz idiom that draws influences from the flamenco and gypsy musics of the Iberian Peninsula. This sample features members of The Central Michigan University Percussion Ensemble, bassist Michael A. Hovnanian, and an improvised marimba solo by Peter O’Neil.
10. Lydian Scherzo for Saxophone Quartet This piece is a short single movement work combining romantic and blues tonalities with aggressive metric modulation. Some call-and-response patterns are used, displaying the influence of African folk songs and blues music. This sample features Jason Canze, soprano saxophone; Dan Chesher, alto saxophone; Craig Berry, tenor saxophone; and Chris Traskal, baritone saxophone.
11. Mos Isley is featured on the live cd, “Bumpin’ at the Whiskey” by Aaron’s group, Asteroid. This extremely limited release can still be purchased in mp3 format at www.DarinLayne.com/stuff. This sample features improvised solos by Lack on vibraphone, guitarist Darin Layne, bassist Rich Stanmyre, and drummer, Jeremy Brown.
12. Suite for Solo Lead Pan Movement One: Dance was originally inspired by the virtuosic solo performances of Ken “Professor” Philmore and Len “Boogsie” Sharps. The first movement, Dance, is reminiscent of the odd meter dance forms of the Mediterranean region.
13. Living Reef is the third movement of Three Oceanic Fantasies, a composition for marimba quintet by Aaron Lack. The marimbaists are: Stephen Martin, Ian Hunter, Kelly Cotter, Dan Kesterke, and Lori Gerard.

 

Sheet Music:

More on the composer:

      Lack first studied composition with Rod Schaub of Muskegon, MI in the early nineties. He then went on to study with Dr. David Gillingham at Central Michigan University’s School of Music from 1995-2000. From 2000 to 2002 Lack was performing with and composing for, the  Alternative Improvised Music Ensemble, (or AIME) a University of Texas Jazz Department ensemble directed by bassist and composer John Fremgen. Lack’s music was featured in the videogame, Turtle Up, by Manitou Games for iOS devices in 2015 followed by a full soundtrack release in 2016 along with a sheet music release. With an ever expanding body of work, Lack continues to create in a wide variety of styles and mediums.