In October 2007, the Raven Performing Arts Theatre in Healdsburg, California saw the debut of composer Mel Graves' opus "From the Past – Into the New." A strong international thread weaves through this work by Graves. The complex, two-hour, five-movement composition — featuring ten musicians — traverses musical borders by incorporating influences from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Jazz bassist Mel Graves has been writing and performing jazz, contemporary classical, and world-influenced music for more than 40 years, He has led the Jazz Program at Sonoma State University for the past 25 years.

Musicians for this performance included:

•  Bob Afifi on flute and piccolo
•  Pete Estabrook on trumpet and flugelhorn
•  Charlie McCarthy on alto sax
•  Mel Martin on clarinet, tenor, and soprano saxophones
•  Jason Robinson on tenor sax;
•  Randy Vincent on guitar;
•  Dave McNab on guitar;
•  John Simon on piano;
•  Miles Wick on bass;
•  Babatunde Lea on drums and percussion.

Download MP3 versions of the five movements:

•  First Movement      (14:27, 16.5 MB)
•  Second Movement (17:10, 19.6 MB)
•  Third Movement     (18:43, 21.4 MB)
•  Fourth Movement  (6:15, 7.1 MB)
•  Fifth Movement      (27:05, 31 MB)