The idea for the "Three Pieces for Woodwind Trio" was advanced by my friends at the St. Louis-based IMI Chamber Players; to provide a collection of works for smaller ensembles looking for pieces that draw from new worlds of exciting rhythms, melodies and harmonic modes. No. 1 - "Wedding Processional," is loosely based on an Efik/Ibibio (Nigeria/Cameroon) folk tune collected by the great Nigerian musicologist and composer Sam Akpabot. In No. 2 - 'Mshila,' I've repurposed a lullaby collected a long time ago in the Congo/Central African Region. In No. 3 - 'Ayevwiomo' Dance performers perhaps would remember some of the tunes quoted from my "Three Pieces for Flute and Piano," and based on Urhobo (Nigeria) chant and dances to celebrate birth and new beginnings. Collectively, these pieces help assuage the musicians' journey towards new horizons of intercultural appreciation. - Fred Onovwerosuoke http://fredomusic.com