Mark Boseman is an unbelievable marimbist. He makes playing the marimba look (and sound) effortless. I’m fortunate that he recorded three pieces from my Song Book for solo marimba. Watch him perform Holiday, Little Things, and Anthem below, and after that, check this one out too. Enjoy!
[photo above by Warren LaFever]
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“Flow is like Mudra meets Marimba Spiritual meets Trevino.”
– Dr. Eric Willie, Assistant Professor of Percussion, UNC Greensboro
I have always wanted to write a piece featuring a percussion soloist with a backing percussion group, a la Marimba Spiritual, Mudra, and Shadow Chasers. My new piece Flow does just that! It features a soloist who alternates between snare drum and marimba, accompanied by percussion trio.
Flow was commissioned by Dr. Eric Willie, Assistant Professor of Percussion at University of North Carolina Greensboro. He premiered the piece at PASIC 2013 accompanied by the Science Hill Percussion Ensemble. Below is a video performance of Flow from Eric’s PASIC premiere as well as an audio midi sample. The piece is now available for performance and can be purchased via my sheet music store.
I’m so thankful that Eric commissioned this piece. He is such a big supporter of new works for percussion and an absolutely stellar musician. Thank you, Eric!
I’ve spent the last year of my life writing and recording a new album called TEN with my band Break of Reality. I am happy to report that the album is officially out and available on iTunes and Bandcamp!
I contributed my drumming, percussion-ing, composing and producing on this album, and I think you percussionists out there will especially enjoy hearing a new arrangement of my piece Six, scored for piano, marimba, glockenspiel, drumset and three cellos!
I hope you can download the album and spread the word to your students, colleagues, music friends, and anyone else that you think would enjoy it! Here are the links: Purchase on iTunes : Purchase on Bandcamp
Thank you all for your support and happy listening!
– Ivan
I video recorded two of my marimba solos months ago in my home. I thought it would be fun doing a video project from my home’s “music room” as opposed to a formal recital hall. After going back and listening to the takes, the classical musician in me told me not to post them online. “They aren’t perfect enough. The sound quality isn’t great. You could have played better.” So, I didn’t release them…
Just yesterday, I went back and visited these videos again with fresh ears. The rock musician in me said, “Why haven’t you posted these videos? Don’t listen to that classical guy! Raw + uncut is a good thing. Music shouldn’t be perfect, it should be genuine.”
The rock musician won out, and I’m happy to share these videos with you today!
Anthem and Dance! both come from a collection of short marimba solos I composed in 2011 entitled Song Book, Vol. 1. Anthem is a straight ahead pop tune. Dance! is inspired by two of my favorite musicians: Argentinian composer Alejandro Vinao and Flea, bassist in Red Hot Chili Peppers & Atoms for Peace.
My new sextet Catching Shadows performed live by Eastman Percussion Ensemble! Big hugs to Sarah Persichetti, Sam Um, Emily Park, Max Kanowitz, Sean Lowery, and Jarryd Elias for such a rockin’ performance, and to Michael Burritt & Eastman for commissioning this work. Sheet music now available.
I just returned from PASIC 2013 in Indianapolis, and I’m still moved by the whole experience. Just WOW. It was such a special event, one that I will never forget. Here are some photos from my trip:
Thankful to Eric Willie, Michael Burritt, and Julie Hill for programming my music for so many other percussionists to hear. Thankful to Mostly Marimba for allowing a self published composer like me to have some booth space to sell my music. And, thankful to all my friends, new and old, for a wonderful time.
Aaron, George, and Mark: Can’t wait for next year guys.
