Program Notes:

Composer Earl Louis Stewart created/introduced a new type of invention, Afro-Inventions, to his repertoire in the 1980s. The Afro-Inventions are studies for evolving pianists that are based on styles common to the African diaspora. Students will find them to be very entertaining and useful to both: (1) the development of classical piano technique; and (2) the preparation for the development of jazz piano technique and improvisation and the understanding of the nuances of jazz and jazz derived styles. In this study twelve mainstream African derived styles are featured.