Aaron Alter

Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry got its name from the first three measures of the theme, where the harmony journeys through three chords, as your taste buds would journey as they delight in discovering each of the three flavors of Vanilla-Chocolate-Strawberry ice cream.  Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry was written for a concert that featured music that hearkened back to the days of the "classic" Big Band, where pieces and solos were much shorter than they are today. We hear the theme presented, followed by two concise and focused solos, followed by a dramatic wrap up with the entire ensemble.

In addition to the Big Band version, Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry is available as a Theme and Four Variations for Solo Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute and Piccolo that was recorded by the flutist Iwona Glinka on her album "Daleth" (2018 - Phasma Music #103 (Distributed by Naxos)) winner of a Silver Medal from the 2018 Global Music Awards..  Please click here to go to the Flute version page with the recording of the Theme and Four Variations on Spotify.

Below is a video of the world premiere of  Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry for Jazz Big Band.  This performance was part of the Composers Concordance CompCord Big Band Concert on March 28, 2019 at The Bitter End in New York.
Eating ice-cream while listening is optional!