Information by the composer: Gris-Gris was commissioned by Andy Austin and is dedicated to Caitlyn MeKenzi Austin. The dedicatee premiered the piece on March 25, 2023. Subsequent performances were given by Jackie McIlwain (clarinet) and Catherine Anderson (piano) at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music and by duo per se (Scot Humes & Tania Tachkova) at New Music on the Bayou 2023.

Gris-gris is a Voodoo amulet originating in Africa which is believed to protect the wearer from evil or bring luck. It consists of a small cloth bag, usually inscribed with verses from an African ancestor containing a ritual number of small objects, worn on the person. The practice of using gris-gris, though originating in Africa, came to the United States with enslaved Africans and was quickly adopted by practitioners of Voodoo.

However, the practice soon changed, and the gris-gris were thought to bring black magic upon their "victim". Slaves would often use the gris-gris against their owners and some can still be seen adorning their tombs. During this period, there were also reports of slaves cutting, drowning or otherwise manipulating the gris-gris of others in order to cause harm. In Haiti, gris-gris are thought to be a good amulet and are used as part of a widely practiced religion; however, in the Cajun communities of Louisiana, gris-gris are thought to be a symbol of black magic and ill-fortune.

Instrumentation: clarinet and piano

Duration: approx. 5’30”

Downloads as 8.5” x 11” PDF. Includes score and transposed clarinet part.