Frank Zappa was a phenomenally gifted composer whose work bridges the worlds of classical and popular music like no other.

As a composer of serious "classical" music, Zappa's music stands along side the most challenging and complex of the twentieth century, and has been championed by major classical ensembles and orchestras. As a rock musician, Zappa was a guitar hero and a popular music icon, selling thousands of records and touring throughout the world. For Zappa, it was all just MUSIC, no matter if it was played by an orchestra, a jazz big band, or a rock group. Refusing to limit himself to the conventions of any given genre, Zappa embraced and combined these disparate strands of the sonic universe to create unified musical expressions of incredible depth and originality. Zappa's work presents a vision of music without barriers of style or genre, a model that Fireworks strives to emulate to this day. On a list of musical categories, Zappa's music truly is "None of the Above."

Fireworks' presents a collection of some of Zappa's most significant contributions: his challenging and vibrant works for instrumental rock ensemble. Equally daring both in their sophistication and vitality, these highly virtuosic and uniquely American works proved that the rock band could be a powerful vehicle for serious composition. Fireworks' survey ranges from rarely-heard Zappa masterpieces such as the infamously challenging "Drowning Witch" and "The Purple Lagoon," to crossover classics such as "The Black Page" and "Big Swifty," to popular Zappa favorites such as "Sofa," "King Kong," and "G-Spot Tornado." "None of the Above" is a perfect introduction to Zappa's music, sure to both delight longtime Zappa fanatics and provide a fresh perspective on this 20th-century mastermind for those who may only know Zappa as the irreverent composer of pop hits such as "Valley Girl" and "Disco Boy."

Fireworks is very grateful to the Zappa Family Trust for their continued support and help in bringing this project to fruition.

"Adventurous and ahead of the curve... chamber music got a kick in the pants"
— Stephen Brookes, The Washington Post
"The missing link between contemporary classical music and advanced rock music"
— Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, The Wall Street Journal
"Classically trained but musically fearless… Explosive... transcends the traditional chamber
music world"
— Bob Banister, Time Out New York
"The hottest new classical band in New York. I have never seen happier performers
and a more relaxed and receptive audience. This eclectic ensemble is magic."
— Mark Greenfest, The New Music Connoisseur
"The aptly named Fireworks Ensemble explored the common ground between formal and
popular styles..."
— Allan Kozinn, The New York Times

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Click here to visit the artists' website.