Desi (1991) was composed for and premiered by the Stephen F. Austin State University Symphonic Band, conducted by John Whitwell at the 1991 CBDNA in Kansas City, Missouri. Since then Desi has been widely performed in America by ensembles ranging from the U.S. Marine Band to the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and abroad by ensembles including the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, and the Zurich Tonhalle-Orchester.

This work is a tribute to the persona of Desi Arnaz (191...