Eugène Bozza

New Orleans

Having won many prizes at the Paris Conservatoire during the 1920s-1930s, Eugène Bozza went on to conduct the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique and to become Head of the Conservatoire in Valenciennes. As a major figure on the classical music frontline, Bozza's compositions were well-received by audiences, New Orleans being popular in the bass brass repertoire. This Bozza piece for bass brass with piano accompaniment was written in 1962. It was originally composed for bass saxhorn but since the instrument was falling into obscurity, Bozza also adapted it for bass trombone and tuba. New Orleans is influenced by the jazz culture of the city. As music educationalist, Paul Griffiths has written of Bozza's compositions, his works reveal melodic fluency, elegance of structure and a consistently sensitive concern of instrumental capabilities. New Orleans for bass trombone, tuba, or bass saxhorn and piano remains popular in the repertoire of the instruments and is often included in audition syllabuses, making it essential to aspiring performers of bass brass.