Waltz for Desmond is dedicated to saxophonist Paul Desmond, who wrote Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”. Like Take Five, Waltz for Desmond is a jazz waltz in 5/4, with a solo section in 4/4, and a coda in mixed meter (6/4 + 5/4). Commuter’s Lament is an experimental piece for big band. Also employing various meters, this programmatic composition uses contemporary soundscapes to tell the story of a driver braving the notorious traffic of Los Angeles.