"Fantasy Variations" was commissioned by Dr. Robert Jordan, whose celebrated career as a bassoonist with the United States Air Force Bands spanned twenty years. Prior to his service, Robert studied bassoon at Louisiana State University where we became friends. When Robert commissioned this piece, he asked that it reflect our time together at LSU. and suggested using “Tiger Rag” as a jumping off point. The challenge was setting that familiar tune in a way that disguised its memorable melody and h...