Percussion Compositions Published by Jarvisgreyhound Music
A showcase feature for marimba with interlocking “grooves” and the sharing of rhythmic motifs and melodic lines with the wind quintet. A perfect closer for a recital or concert performance.
The term Interplay is defined as the way two or more things (in this case, six musicians) affect, influence, or interact with each other. And although Interplay for Marimba and Wind Quintet uses the word in its title, the work is written to feature the marimba as soloist. The interplay is heard through interlocking “grooves” and the sharing of rhythmic motifs and melodic lines. The work is in an ABA form, with the first A in the minor mode of G Dorian. The B section becomes a “harmonic journey” in four short but different key levels and leads to a marimba cadenza. At the completion of the cadenza the A section is heard again, but now in D major. The piece concludes with a short coda. Interplay for Marimba and Wind Quintet is dedicated to marimbaist/percussionist Stacey Jones-Garrison.
A driving 16th note showcase for marimba in the style of Joseph Schwantner's "Velocities", but not as difficult! Some passages of the piece were inspired by the music of Keiko Abe. A challenging but rewarding four-minute work!
The definition of Celerity is “swiftness of movement”. The title is a suggested reference (synonym) to Joseph Schwantner’s composition, Velocities. The 4-minute work is in ABA form and a continuous flow of 16th note patterns. The opening/closing A material, minor (or mysterious) in sound, is harmonically based on a synthetic hexatonic scale (Ab-B-C-Eb-F-Gb). The “melody notes” which are both part of and not part of this scale “pop out” (the accented notes) of the web pattern. Using this same rhythmic device, the music modulates to the B section which briefly in D Lydian and E Locrian. Another modulation brings us back to the original material to end the piece. Celerity was inspired by the music of Keiko Abe and uses similar 4-mallet sticking patterns that can be found in some of her music such as Wind and the Bamboo Grove, Michi and Frogs.
The third composition in the “Wynwood Project Series” of musical caricatures inspired by graffiti street art. A seven against four groove makes the first movement very challenging! Movements 2 and 3 are much easier.
Wynwood Project No. 3 for Solo Vibraphone is the third composition in an ongoing endeavor of musical caricatures inspired by graffiti street art. The Wynwood district, a northern suburb of Miami, Florida is home to over 70 galleries, museums and art collections, including the Wynwood Walls, an outdoor permanent exhibit featuring hundreds of graffiti murals from some of the world’s most renowned street artists. While Wynwood Project No. 1 and 2 were inspired by the art found in this district, Wynwood Project No. 3 for Solo Vibraphone is inspired by graffiti art found in other cities around the world. The titled of the first movement, Spy vs. Spy pays homage to the two characters that appears in the satire publication called Mad Magazine. These characters have been a favorite for many graffiti artists and can be seen in numerous cities all over the world. The second and third movements are inspired by the anonymous graffiti artist only know as Banksy. Child’s Play is a musical caricature of the artist’s works of children playing, one in particular known as Balloon Girl. The movement is dedicated to/inspired by the late great jazz pianist/composer Chick Corea and his collection of Children Songs. The third movement, Rainbows, is a musical representation of Banksy’s use of rainbows, which appears in many of his/her works of graffiti.
