"Double Helix" is an original music composition written by Jack Cooper for 17-piece jazz orchestras in 1991. The recording of "Double Helix" also goes by the title "Twice is Nice" (as a sound file) when distributed worldwide as production music. The work has been used and heard around the world for music, media, and entertainment broadcasts.

Background Double Helix was first written in 1991 as a commission for the SCSBOA Honor Jazz Ensemble and premiered at Disneyland that year.James Linahon called Cooper in 1991 to commission a new work for the SCSBOA jazz group, Linahon would conduct them later that year. Late in 1991 Jack Bullock (jazz editor for Columbia Pictures Publications/ Belwin) hired Jack Cooper as a staff writer for new jazz ensemble works. Jack Bullock heard his writing done for the U.S. Army Jazz Knights.CPP/Belwin composer Carl Strommen forwarded Cooper's demo tape to Jack Bullock after hearing the U.S.M.A. Jazz Knights perform while Cooper was with the group during that time. The first piece Bullock decided to publish (and record) was Double Helix.Review: BD Guide, November/December 1993, Village Press, Inc. J. Richard Dunscomb (reviewer), rated: the very best, page 36

The work was recorded at Omega Recording Studios in Rockville, Maryland for the 1993 CPP/Belwin Jazz catalogue of new published works.1993 CPP/Belwin New Music Jazz Ensemble Catalogue, music for credits and opening track for demo, Double Helix Later In 1994, Canadian beverage giant Seagram bought a part of Time Warner and the Warner Music Publishing division of that company acquired CPP/Belwin. Double Helix was now distributed by Warner Brothers Music publications and the company made the move to allow FirstCom and Universal Publishing Production Music to have access to a limited number of CPP/Belwin sound files. The recordings from Omega Studios for CPP/Belwin were of very high quality as well as the music itself that was being written and acquired for the catalogue.

While the original CPP/Belwin sound file of Double Helix continues to be widely used in the media, the rights to the print music were acquired back by the composer in 2006. The print music division of Time Warner was sold to Alfred Music Publishing in June 2005 which made a great deal of the older CPP/Belwin print music catalogue obsolete. At that time it was best to move Double Helix (the print music) to a company who would keep the work in distribution for a much longer period; the print music is now distributed and sold by Really Good Music Publishing.

The music and sound file of Double Helix has been and is still frequently utilized for media production in television and radio.Double Helix is in repeated syndicated T.V. broadcasts around the world The ASCAP distributions have far exceeded the original royalty payments made through sale of the print music by CPP/Belwin.

Composition The work itself is 170 measures and based on a Blues form in the key of f minor. The smaller 12 measure sub-form repeats numerous times; the overall work mimicks a hybrid Sonata form with an exposition/statement, development (with improvisation section), and recap (or restatement).

The form and layout of Double Helix Double Helix Measures1-12 13–48 49–64 77–88 89–112 113–124 125–144 145–156 157–170 Introduction statementmelody/song interludesend off open improvisation/background figures saxophone sectionsoli stop timeAcappellabrass development recap ofmelody/song coda/Finé

Reviews

Use in media "Double Helix" has been used as feature, interlude, and background music in the United Kingdom,Deal or No Deal (TV Series), Episode 49067/011 U.K., PRS/ASCAP April–August 2013 distribution the Czech Republic,OSA. credits as per ASCAP distribution, Aug. 2011 the Netherlands,DR (broadcaster)|Danish Radio P2, TROS, used often as library music, BUMA through current ASCAP distribution, confirmed May 25, 2010 Ireland,IMRO credits as per ASCAP distribution, Feb. 2005 Canada,SOCAN credits as per ASCAP distribution, Feb. 2001 Romania,UCMR-ADA credits as per ASCAP distribution, Feb. 2009 France,SACEM, credits as per ASCAP distribution Norway,50 Hottest Vegas Moments (2005), January 17, 2005 (USA) first aired, confirmed through ASCAP July Distribution, 2006 - episode aired 14 times during that time periodTeosto TONO credits as per ASCAP distribution, May 2007 Finland, Hong Kong,CASH credits as per ASCAP distribution and Japan.Under the title Twice is Nice, Double Helix JASRAC UNCUT (ETV) - Meg Ryan, first aired May 7, 1996

Television shows using the work include The Jenny Jones Show,The Jenny Jones Show (1995). Episodes Double Helix is used on include "Celebrity Look-A-Likes" and "Second Annual Jenny Jones Awards", ASCAP Jan. 1999 distribution F.Y.E., E! Entertainment shows (2),Vegas Showgirls: Nearly Famous (TV Series 2001-2003), ASCAP distribution records April and July 2002 Access Hollywood,Access Hollywood (TV series) Episode dated May 7, 2001, #0435, confirmed through ASCAP Jan. distribution 2002 JBVO: Your All Request Cartoon Show,Johnny Bravo (TV Series), Episodes #14 and #24 from JBVO: Your All Request Cartoon Show, ASCAP April–September 2001 distribution American Restoration,American Restoration (TV/Cable series), Episode Surfing The Strip, ASCAP April–August 2013 distribution Deal or No Deal (UK), and Extra.

References

External links

ISWC T-070.045.419-8 Double Helix, Really Good Music Publishing Universal Publishing Production Music FirstCom Production Music