Latitude Adjustment is a fun little novelty medley of favorite Christmas carols for performance ideally by a steel drummer (optionally, as steel drummers are not all that common, the solo part can be covered with a marimba). The medley includes: Deck the Halls, Jingle Bells, Oh Christmas Tree and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Each tune has a sort of Carribean/Reggae flavor, and there is even a little quote from Sonny Rollins' St. Thomas. I particularly enjoy the Oh Christmas Tree segment: it is actually rather pretty.

I had fun writing this medley. The title, of course, refers to a "change of latitude" to a more tropical destination - hence the less-than-subtle quotation of Leavin' on a Jet Plane which begins the piece. The tune was written to feature the talents of Phil Webster, whose percussion skills go far beyond the orchestral instruments. I admit that it is a little clichéd, but I personally find it sort of refreshing to hear something as alien as steel drums playing some old Christmas favorites - and, most importantly, audiences love it.

• Latitude Adjustment is published by Drew Fennell Publishing.
  Available for Solo Steel Drums/Marimba with Brass Band.

• Hear a computer generated version of Latitude Adjustment [brass band version]*.