Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mica Bethea: Suite Theory

6

Mica Bethea: Suite Theory

By

Sign in to view read count
Mica Bethea: Suite Theory
If nothing else is known about Mica Bethea, it should be clearly understood that he has never been one to brush aside or turn away from a challenge. When Bethea was twenty-one years old and a student / musician at the University of North Florida, a horrendous auto accident left him a quadriplegic. For most people, that would be the end of the story. For Bethea, it was more like the beginning. No longer able to play an instrument, he turned to composing and arranging, his success measured by the acquisition of a master's degree, praise from many of his fellow musicians and the release of three big-band albums, of which Suite Theory is the latest and most ambitious.

Suite Theory itself arose from an ultimatum to Bethea from a teacher, bassist Dennis Marks, who challenged his erudite student to write a suite for big band that would recount the story of his life. Bethea set to work immediately and composed the suite in about a month, using the four-movement form of a symphony (the album's fifth and final track is an alternate take of the second, "Destiny's Boat"). As the opening movement of a symphony is generally written in sonata form, so it is with "Crystal Clear," which encapsulates the first twenty-one years of the composer's life. Its genial buoyancy (and handsome theme) portraying childhood to young adulthood are supplanted by a darker mood on the balladic "Destiny's Boat," which depicts Bethea's near-fatal accident and its aftermath.

The third movement, "Meniscus," focuses on Bethea's recovery and the start of his "second life" as a student, composer and bandleader, wherein he determined, in his words, that his glass was half full, not half empty, and that this was "a magical time in [his] life." It is a songo, whose Latin temper is splendid for dancing, as is the customary third movement (minuet) in a classical symphony. Bethea's opus ends with the fast-moving "Guardian of Forever," which he says represents a time-travel device in the original Star Trek television series. It is dedicated to the one who has been and always will be an essential part of Bethea's life, his mother, who gave up her career to help him recover and is, in his words, "the main reason I've been able to accomplish every goal that I've aimed for."

Having appraised the Suite and its genesis, it should be noted that Bethea's ensemble, comprised of first-class musicians from northern Florida, is exemplary, as are the soloists, especially Todd DelGuidice whose expressive tenor saxophone adorns both versions of "Destiny's Boat." Others include trumpeters Ray Callender and Daniel Rollan; saxophonists Daniel Dickinson, Juan Carlos Rollan and Jose Rojas; trombonist Michael Dease, guitarist James Hogan, pianist Joshua Bowlus, drummer John Lumpkin Jr., percussionist Terry Handy and bassist (and inspiration for the Suite) Dennis Marks.

As is "Crystal Clear" from the outset of <>em>Suite Theory, it is far easier to slow Mica Bethea down than it is to stop him. His proficiency as a composer / arranger has been growing apace, and Suite Theory moves Bethea one step higher on the ladder he has been so tenaciously climbing since life gave him a second chance.

Track Listing

Crystal Clear; Destiny's Boat; Meniscus; Guardian Of Forever; Destiny's Boat (alternate take).

Personnel

Mica Bethea
composer / conductor

Greg Balut, Dave Champagne, Daniel Rollan, Ray Callendar: trumpet; Michael Dease, Diego Herrada "de la Vega" Ventura, Lance Reed: trombone; Gina "Badeeduh" Benalcazar: bass trombone; Todd DelGiudice: alto sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, flute; Daniel Dickinson: alto sax, soprano sax, flute; Juan Carlos Rollan: tenor sax, alto sax, flute; Jose Rojas: tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet; Seth Ebersole: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Josh Bowlus: piano, Fender Rhodes; James Hogan: guitar; Dennis Marks: bass; John Lumpkin Jr: drums; Terry "Doc" Handy, percussion.

Album information

Title: Suite Theory | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.