Holograph score in pencil for saxophone sextet (soprano, two altos, two tenors, and baritone saxophone) in AABA form, titled “Backgrounds Band Theme.” Folder also contains professionally copied parts in manuscript.
From Marty Ehrlich: “Band Theme” is based on the “I Got Rhythm” chord changes. For the improvisational section, the Sextet improvised parts behind the tenor solo, based on the chordal pattern known as the “C.T.A.” changes, from the composition of that name by Jimmy Heath.
Hemphill composed this work for Long Tongues: A Saxophone Opera. In performance, it always featured tenor saxophonist Andrew White.