Chris Evan Hass: Hodgepodge for Trombone Quartet and Opt. Rhythm Section

Hodgepodge is a lighthearted composition for trombone quartet and optional rhythm section, written to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jackson College’s “Trombonefest” concert. Each year, this event brings together more than 50 trombonists of all ages and backgrounds for a wonderfully eclectic program of compositions and arrangements. What has always struck me most about 

“Trombonefest” is the sheer variety of music it embraces, from Haydn to Bruno Mars, Duke Ellington to Metallica. Much like the inclusivity of the ensemble itself, every genre and style seems welcome at “Trombonefest,” creating an assortment of music that is as unexpected as it is entertaining. 

Hodgepodge aims to capture this melting pot of musical styles and distill it into a single work. The composition freely shifts between classical and Baroque traditions to the energetic sounds of jazz and funk, as if to jump from Gabrieli to Trombone Shorty without warning. Rather than smoothing over these contrasts, the music leans into them: a full Baroque-inspired fugue unfolds in the center of the piece, while improvisatory jazz solos color the more upbeat sections. The result is a musical “hodgepodge” in the truest sense, a playful, unpredictable journey through contrasting styles, genres, and moods.