“I have been aware of Jesse Monkman's music for several years. His compositions for solo marimba are challenging, fun to play, and generally accessible for all listeners.”

“This exciting, demanding 12-minute work for marimba soloist and three percussionists draws from African, Middle Eastern, and jazz influences and would no doubt be popular with audiences while offering the players substantial musical challenges.

The marimba opens with a lyrical rubato statement that contrasts with the driving 7/8-meter section that forms the primary thematic material. This long section has a melodic quality that resembles a fast Arabic dance supported and encouraged by percussion interjections. The second section features a vibraphone solo (played by player two) with chordal marimba accompaniment. the vibraphonist is required to play written solo lines and improvise in a jazz style. A musical transition, written in the style of the opening section, helps to connect the vibe solo to an extended recap of the first section and coda.

The piece is extremely tuneful and exciting. the four-mallet marimba part demands good mallet independence, stamina, and must be memorized for performance. The percussion parts, with the exception of the vibe solo, are interesting but not extremely difficult. In addition to the five-octave marimba required by the soloist, it is scored for five toms, tambourine, bongos, vibraphone, two snare drums, three cymbals, Chinese cymbal, Chinese opera gong, two bass drums, temple blocks, five roto-toms, tam tam, brake drum, and bell tree.”

“This is a brilliant piece. All 3 percussionists and the solo marimba all get sections of the song devoted to them. It is focused mostly on the marimba but the percussionists still have great solos and solis. Makes a great closer for a small ensemble concert. Or just another song for any concert. It keeps the audience and the players entertained for the full twelve minutes. Highly recommended.”