UFO Tofu is a popular Béla Fleck tune adapted for modern percussion ensemble. At the bright tempo of
225 beats per minute, the piece has an upbeat, cut-time feel that weaves
in and out of some advanced meter changes. Many of the mallet orchestrations
will require a solid grasp of 4-mallet independence concepts.
This arrangement
first premiered at the DCI Individual & Ensemble Competition by the Santa
Clara Vanguard Percussion Ensemble. The exuberance of the piece naturally
gives it audience appeal and would make for a perfect encore piece at the
end of a concert.
This
piece comes with a full, bound score and includes all individual parts available
for printing on the included CD-Rom.
“This percussion nonet is scored for xylophone/glock, two vibraphones, four marimbas, timpani, and drumset. It is a difficult arrangement from a 1992 recording by jazz-fusion composer Béla Fleck. Starting with a quarter-note tempo (in 7/4) of 225+ bpm, the eighth-note figures (D-major tonality) in the keyboard percussion (vibraphone and marimba 1) are incredibly fast. The opening introductory passage gives way to several mixed meters (e.g., 2/2, 5/2, 6/8) – providing an almost Frank Zappa style of jazz-fusion in which the keyboard percussionists carry 90 percent of the effort.
In his prefatory remarks, the arranger states that this arrangement reflects Fleck and his Flecktones “marriage of bluegrass and funky fusion jazz.” If that is the style of music that a percussion ensemble is desiring, this arrangement fits the bill. An enclosed CD permits the purchaser of this arrangement to print the individual parts. This 3:15-minute arrangement is suitable only for a very mature college percussion ensemble.”
