gaming (jazz) music
Jazz & Interactive Media is a research-driven production that deconstructs the 'finality' of video game music. By isolating iconic motifs from Undertale and Sonic The Hedgehog, I re-contextualized these themes through the lenses of Swing, Ballad Swing, and Latin Jazz. This project goes beyond simple arrangement; it is a deep dive into the theory and treatment of game scores, proving that their melodic and harmonic foundations can thrive within the rigid yet expressive instrumentation of a full Big Band.
Snowdin Town
In this arrangement of 'Snowdin Town' from Undertale, I explored the intersection of indie-game nostalgia and the third-stream jazz aesthetics of Miles Davis and Gil Evans. Inspired by the textural depth of Blues for Pablo, I utilized non-conventional Big Band instrumentation and specific voicing distributions to transform a simple chiptune melody into a lush, impressionistic Ballad Swing. This project demonstrates my ability to apply high-level orchestral techniques to digital themes, creating a sophisticated dialogue between contemporary media and jazz history.
Green Hill zone
This arrangement serves as a technical bridge between video game pop-melodies and the rigorous structure of Latin Jazz. Drawing from the harmonic foundations of the LaBarbera school, I re-contextualized 'Green Hill Zone' from Sonic The Hedgehog using an expanded jazz vocabulary—utilizing 7th chords, traditional montuno patterns, and semi-traditional Big Band instrumentation. The project focuses on maintaining the melodic integrity of the original while pushing the boundaries of its rhythmic and harmonic construction for a live ensemble setting.
megalovania
In this definitive arrangement of 'Megalovania' from Undertale, I utilized the sophisticated swing vocabulary of Sammy Nestico. Drawing directly from the structural elegance of the jazz standard 'Hay Burner,' I transformed Toby Fox’s digital motif into a high-energy Big Band masterpiece. By blending traditional Count Basie-style brass writing with modern elements of Rock and Shuffle, I created a track that preserves the 'boss-fight' intensity of the original while grounding it in a classic, professional jazz personality.