Sammut -- Zapping Trio

Kaitlin Weeks Senior Recital; Texas Christian University. March 26, 2022

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree of Instrumental Music Education. Ms. Weeks is a student of Dr. Corey Mackey. Zach Lewis, marimba. Blaine Bryan, string bass.

Eric Sammut was born in Toulouse, France and became known for his musical abilities at an early age. While studying piano and percussion at the Conservatoire National de Musique de Lyon, Sammut studied jazz and performed in bars with his first band for a couple years. In 1989, he won the job as Prinicpal Percussionist of the Orchestre de l’Opera National de Lyon. Sammut's varied musical experiences have led him to appreciate music of all styles, from Bach to rock. Sammut is a well-respected and prolific composer of modern percussion music.

Zapping Trio creates a jazz combo of marimba, clarinet, and double bass. In typical Sammut style, this piece has a jazzy, improvised feel and is fun for both the performers and the audience. Parts of this trio sound like they could have come from a different era. I can imagine this piece being written when jazz first came to Paris following World War I by American Army soldiers.