AACI Compositions Performed

Click a title for video links and information on obtaining scores

Des'ree & Ingram: You Gotta Be
Instrumentation:jazz ensemble
Year performed by AACI:2015
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-Mnf_DhAM
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Regina Harris Baiocchi: Farafina
Instrumentation:singer, reader, trumpet, piano, marimba or electic marimba, bass, drums
Lyricist:Regina Harris Baiocchi
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2023
Video:https://youtu.be/a5LGw8gmWl4
Further information:arranged by the composer from the original large percussion ensemble version for AACI
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Regina Harris Baiocchi: Legends (John Henry)
Instrumentation:voice, conga, brake drum
Lyricist:Regina Harris Baiocchi
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2018
Video:https://youtu.be/Po5wYx3_pfM
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: Billie's Song
Anthology:Portraits in Jazz
Instrumentation:voice, piano, bass
Lyricist:LaDoris Cordell
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2012
2016
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzRkKmtgMHw
https://youtu.be/F5lR3yZy53M
Further information:2012: Billie's Song composed for piano solo, text by LaDoris Cordell, arranged for voice, piano, and bass by Valerie Capers
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: Billie's Song
Anthology:Portraits in Jazz
Instrumentation:voice, piano
Lyricist:LaDoris Cordell
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Year performed by AACI:2011
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-EW3396itw
Further information:Billie's Song' (Billie Holliday) - text added and piano solo adapted for voice and piano by LaDoris Cordell, with permission of the composer, words by LaDoris Cordell
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: Bird Alone
Instrumentation:vocal, piano, bass, percussion
Lyricist:Abbey Lincoln
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2016
Video:https://youtu.be/j_KTjinKM3Q
Further information:arrangement for jazz piano, violin, cello, bass and drums by Valerie Capers
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: Jubilation
Instrumentation:singers, piano, flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone, violin, cello, bass, and percussion
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2019
Video:https://youtu.be/vmRsFSnNvKw
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Instrumentation:vocals, jazz ensemble
Lyricist:traditional/Capers
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2015
2016
2020
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G2usWLIpvo
https://youtu.be/G_e8WgQ-Xak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVA_xIdBWXU
Further information:Traditional Spiritual/Freedom Song, arranged for AACI by Capers on commission
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: The Gift of Song
Instrumentation:singers, piano, flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, alto saxophone, violin, cello, bass, and percussion
Lyricist:Paul Lawrence Dunbar/ Valerie Capers
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2018
2019
2023
Video:https://youtu.be/x2f1-FWeHRc
https://youtu.be/jZkH0ToFSLc
Further information:Last movement of 5 movement piece based on poetry by Paul L. Dunbar entitled 'The Gift of Song', 1986. Last movement revised in 2017 for AACI. Additional text by Valerie Capers.
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Valerie Capers: You
Instrumentation:soprano, piano, bass, drums, flute
Lyricist:Paul Lawrence Dunbar/ Valerie Capers
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2024
Video:https://youtu.be/k3r6IqXw_ro
Further information:Movement 1 of 5 movement work. 'The Gift of Song', text adapted from Paul L. Dunbar
adapted by Josephine Gandolfi with permission from the composer from the original work for SATB choir, flute, piano, drums, and bass
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Duke Ellington: I'm Beginning to See the Light
Instrumentation:vocal, piano, bass, percussion, violin, cello
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2014
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqQHA7PjtSs
Further information:arranged by Valerie Capers
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On
Instrumentation:solo vocalist, back-up singers, tenor saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, bass, drums, tambourine
Publisher:Self-published
Year performed by AACI:2024
Video:https://youtu.be/TBcYa0FQGMg
Further information:arr. Jansen Verplank
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child
Instrumentation:voice, piano
Lyricist:Arthur Herzog
Publisher:Edward B. Marks Music Corporation
Year performed by AACI:2010
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33W8En0hM_U
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Henry Krieger: Family
Year performed by AACI:2025
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhrsmkCo_ec
Further information:Lyrics by Tom Eyen
arranged by Jansen Verplank
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Abbey Lincoln: Bird Alone
Instrumentation:vocal, chamber ensemble
Lyricist:Abbey Lincoln
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2013
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAkMS2_AO0
Further information:arr. by Valerie Capers for jazz trio, voice, with violin and cello obbligato
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Melba Liston: Rainbow
Instrumentation:chamber ensemble
Lyricist:Abbey Lincoln
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2013
2023
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-qwwiwGFHA
https://youtu.be/FpI4ziENRqY
Further information:arranged by Valerie Capers for jazz trio and vocalist
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Nile Rodgers: We Are Family
Instrumentation:vocals, jazz ensemble
Year performed by AACI:2025
Video:https://youtu.be/y2vzFRQgi_w
Further information:Composed by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards
arranged by Jansen Verplank
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Mary Lou Williams: Anima Christi
Instrumentation:vocals, piano, clarinet, bass, percussion
Lyricist:14th century prayer, adapted by Mary Lou Williams
Publisher:The Mary Lou Williams Foundation, INC. and Cecilia Music Publishing Co.
Year performed by AACI:2020
Video:https://youtu.be/FeMHnBYkg94
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Bill Withers: Lean On Me
Instrumentation:chorus, jazz ensemble
Year performed by AACI:2019
Video:https://youtu.be/3RVQni1HTlA
Further information:Arranged by Jansen Verplank for choir and jazz combo
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Roxanna Wright: I'm Thinking of a Butterfly
Instrumentation:Choir, rapper, keyboard, percussion and bass, with optional winds
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2018
Video:https://youtu.be/YbMMgKF1nHc
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment
Roxanna Wright: Two Thousand Twenty
Instrumentation:Choir, rapper, keyboard, percussion and bass, with optional winds
Publisher:self-published
Year performed by AACI:2018
Video:https://youtu.be/bGSZ0SRizoU
Genre:jazz/gospel-based vocal music with instrumental accompaniment