Grey Havens From Home Base - Jeff Van Devender

Grey Havens
From Home Base



My NEWEST composition. The night before the last day of recording, Brett Wilson said to me "Your cd is going to be titled Grey Havens, yet you have no song by that title. It would be cool if you could come up with something!" So, the next morning, Brett told me he needed to run some errands, giving me time to try to put something together. Sure enough, it came to me quickly. I quick recorded some audio files on the phone as it was coming, bc I couldn't afford to lose it. By the end of the day, we had it! This is Grey Havens from our 2019 release "Grey Havens." Thank you for listening!

Rocky Mountain Rag - LIVE from our home

Rocky Mountain Rag

Originally recorded in 2009 for our Don't Ever Forget album. Recorded in Oskaloosa, Iowa at the George Daily Auditorium. This performance here takes place in my living room on our Yamaha G1 piano. Please give a listen and SUBSCRIBE while you are there. 

Hope you enjoy and thanks for checking it out!

Behind the MusiK... Post #4 - Final Farewell

Behind the MusiK...
Post #4 - Final Farewell

This post is being composed on the night of the 12th anniversary of my father's passing. It also happens to be the eve of Easter. For this post, I have chosen to take a deeper look at a song that is near and dear, in that it reflects on a year when a lot of change was happening in my world.

Final Farewell actually began to take shape late 2006, evolving with it's final form being solidified through 2007. The melody to this piece, once again, just came from nowhere. I don't know how it happens, but when some of these melodies arrive, it is almost like they are already written before I start playing them. I cannot say this is the way my songwriting always takes place, but as I sit here and look back, I cannot immediately recall a time or song where that wasn't the case. Final Farewell most definitely does fall into that category of arrival before I got there.

For lack of a better term, let's call it mid-life crisis. By the time I reached my late 20's, I was not thrilled to be getting older. My 30th birthday felt like more of a wake than a celebration. My youth had slipped through my fingers and there was no looking back.

Fast forward 14-15 years. I was now 45. My beautiful twin daughters were now teenagers. I was nearly 20 years into a career with spotty success at best. My passion and love for my chosen profession was waning. On the other hand, I did begin working toward my masters degree in music education. I also ran for, and was awarded, a seat on the state board of music educators - eventually achieving state chair years later.

During this same year, I put myself through a year of facial reconstruction. Within a years' time, I had my nose fixed from a pounding it took 25 years earlier - septoplasty. I also had surgery that involved taking bone from my jawline and moving to my upper front dental gum-line, as the bone holding my front false teeth had rotted away from a ski injury that knocked out my original front teeth 18 years previous. Once the bone began to take root, new teeth could eventually be installed. The previous year also saw me receiving lasik surgery so I could finally see without glasses.

Any of the above items listed separately would be construed as nothing much. However, coming at me in such quick succession, made riding this wave less surf and more Baywatch. I use this term only because I happened onto my own California Baywatch moment this same year when the Pacific undertow had pulled me quite off course, causing me to become face-to face with a Baywatch-type beach lifeguard who felt the need to rescue me.

Beneath all the undertow of this ocean wave called life, a song was brewing. By the time I had the time and ability to sit down and steal a private moment at a piano, a sobering melody rolled out. I played it for several weeks before finding a name for this melody.

As I began to reflect on how the melody made me feel, I realized a recurring sensation of melancholy. Personal change was arriving in the form of greater perceived responsibility replacing a carefree lifestyle with little consequence. Change was in the air, and it wasn't always painless. Loss was soon to follow, along with even more change.

As the song was taking final form, my father passed away. I had already recently lost the last of my grandparents. Soon after losing my father, I changed jobs. Within a couple months, I changed churches I was playing piano/organ for. Amidst all that, we moved from our house we had occupied for 10 years to another community. Change was most definitely in the air. Thus the title of the song.. Final Farewell.

For myself, the song resembled all I was saying goodbye to. Losing my father was chief among them. My first-ever public unveiling of Final Farewell came at my father's funeral when I played it for his wake. Saying goodbye to a man whose influence is with me everyday, who I fought with and against more than I ever should have, who I watched battle more health issues than one person deserves, who was deeply devoted to God along with his wife and family, who loved and lived his chosen profession like I never could, and yet, who I struggle to know and understand as I now reflect on his life 12 years beyond his passing.

Final Farewell was recorded at a location my father recommended to me, a new auditorium with complete studio for recording and a beautiful nine-foot Yamaha piano on the stage. This was a facility he was proud of as it was constructed his final year of teaching, so he got to finish his distinguished career on that stage. When showing off the facility to me, he said, "you should record your next cd here."

Oddly enough, conversations regarding that very topic began to take place at his funeral reception. Morbid sounding? Yes. But, his life revolved around music and the local people involved with it and I have no doubt he was guiding those conversations somehow.

In the end, Final Farewell is about celebrating the past and moving forward. I recorded it July 2009 in my hometown where I had grown up and graduated high school - Oskaloosa, Iowa. It is a song that seems appropriate for certain occasions, conjuring up many feelings when played. I hope you enjoy..

Behind the MusiK... Post #3 - Synyrgyze!

Behind the MusiK... 

Post #3 - Synyrgyze!

The audio files and graphics for my debut cd Ascend had just been sent off to the manufacturer. Excitement was in the air anticipating the official release of this first cd.

Wait time between the actual submission and shipment arrival is roughly about 3 weeks to a month. During the wait, release concerts were being planned, our new company JavaMusiK was undergoing it's genesis and pre-orders for cd's were being taken. Needless to say, we were anxious for the proverbial wheels to hit the ground.

In addition, during that time, a new song arrived.. We were still living in Swea City, a small town in northern Iowa. I had recently accepted a job offer to return to teaching in Colorado, so we knew we'd be packing up and moving in short order. First, there would be the release of Ascend with 2 cd release concerts - one in the community we had been living (Swea City, IA), and the other in the community where I was raised (Oskaloosa, IA).

The arrival of this new song came about as a theme that became an earworm in my mind. It wouldn't stop. During some down time, I sequestered myself on a Saturday afternoon to the sanctuary piano in the church we had been attending. Sitting alone at that piano, I began to play the theme I had been hearing for some time. It is the main verse theme that takes place immediately following the intro.

As I began to proceed during this session, the melodies seemed to just flow out. It was as if the song was already composed and I was just learning what comes next, section by section. Within the hour, the song was complete.

Unfortunately, the song didn't arrive in time to make it on the first cd release, Ascend. It would have to wait four years for the second release, Bending Chords. But, I did begin to play it at concerts which helped work the bugs out and evolve into a flow.

My first two concerts took place at churches in Swea City & Oskaloosa, IA. I was honored to have my father, who had taught previously in Swea City - and used to attend this church - and was presently a member at the church in Oskaloosa, introduce me at the beginning of both these shows. He was a great speaker, knew how to really get the audience excited to welcome me. This was a memorable way for me to kick off this whole venture that has continued to the present.

So, three and a half years passed. New songs got written, the move took place and life was moving forward. The year was 2002. The time seemed ripe to get into a studio and record a follow-up to Ascend. Having played live in a few places throughout the western Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys in promotion of Ascend, one of the places I played was a B&N bookstore in Grand Junction. While I was packing up, upon finishing, someone came up who had been listening and spending some time on his cell phone (w/ a studio associate, I later learned). We talked and he shared he had a studio and production company in town. Would I be interested in visiting his studio? Absolutely! His name was John Malvey.

Two or three months later, we began our sessions and John was awesome to work with. So many great things I can say about working with him. When it came to Synyrgyze!, John's contributions were priceless. The guitar solo added so much punch to the song, along with the percussion and overall instrumentation arrangement. The whole album was like that - John had an ear and demeanor that helped take your music to the next level.

Finally, the second cd Bending Chords was recorded, graphics added and order placed. We sent my parents a copy of the pre-release. They listened. Next time I spoke with them, my father asked me to guess which song he liked best. I went through several selection titles before finally landing on Synyrgyze! He surprised me with this choice. One of the things he particularly liked about it was it was uptempo.

After releasing Ascend, it quickly became apparent that, while uplifting, the general tone of the cd was all mid to down-tempo. Nothing there that picked up the tempo any. A nice listen overall. But nothing that would wake you from your nap should you drift off. So, a conscious effort became part of the equation to pick things up a bit, at least part of the time, on the follow-up release. I don't remember Synyrgyze! being part of that conscious effort, but it definitely fit the bill. I was proud to finally have a song that could be considered more on the uptempo genre.

Any time I play Synyrgyze! in concert, I dedicate it to the memory of my father who, along with my mother, paid for and supported my piano lessons and growth as a musician. I miss him dearly.

Synyrgyze! - Live video

Synyrgyze! on Spotify

Stream Synyrgyze! on ReverbNation

Synyrgyze! on Apple Music

Synyrgyze! on Amazon

Synyrgyze! on Google Play Music

Behind the MusiK... Post #2 - Awakenings (The Awakening)

Behind the MusiK... 

Post #2 - Awakenings (The Awakening)

The story begins January 1981. I was a college freshman. The class was Music Theory - second semester. I was about to embark on my first venture into music composition of a full piece of music. I had actually dabbled previously with a theme from a piece of music I was fascinated with. The piece opened with that theme but evolved into another direction. If you asked me to play it today, I wouldn't be able to get very far, as it has mostly faded from memory. This, however, was the song that would wind up being my first official composition. 

The challenge was laid out by our Music Theory professor. We had one week to compose a song in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. 

The previous semester had been spent learning about unique stylings of Western music, established primarily by the compositional techniques of JS Bach. Parallel fifths are a no-no. The movement of the melody, the harmonic counterpoint and the song structure all factored in. So, the challenge was put forth as a contest. Once the Theory professor had looked them all over, an announcement of who won would take place. 

The key of G was chosen. For the first verse, I pulled together a left hand pattern, commonly known as the Alberti Bass and composed a right hand melody over that. The second time through the verse, on the repeat, the melody picks up a harmony line while the left hand moves to a more complex counterpoint relationship built on more stepwise scale patterns. Looking back, I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, the chorus loosely borrowed some thematic material from at least a couple different song selections. Liberties were taken to make the melodic line uniquely mine. I was young. I needed to get the assignment finished. Musicians tend to borrow things. 

The song got completed and transcribed in basic longhand form for the assignment. Succeeding years would see it evolve into a longer form with a fanfare intro and an extended mid-section (bridge) taking form in a key change to e-minor. The outro of the bridge would lead to an eventual return to the original verse/chorus in original key of G followed by the fanfare intro for a conclusion. In live performance, the midsection often sees an extended improvisation. 

May 1988, I married my wife Amy. The song seemed to work as a possible idea for a processional. If any other musical selection was considered, I have no memory of it. The decision was made to use Awakenings for Amy to walk down the aisle to. 

Two thoughts about this: 

First: Standing at the front of the church, the view of Amy in her wedding dress looked amazing - she stood in the doorway to the sanctuary during the fanfare, then proceeded down the aisle once the original opening verse began. Seeing my bride, accompanied by my first-ever original composition at the biggest day of my life was mind-blowing. What an honor to experience this moment. 

Second: This experience was the first (and only) time I have ever heard another person play my music. To say that is a surreal experience is an understatement. Phrasing and interpretation were naturally somewhat different than how I play, which is to be expected. It is a pleasant experience to hear someone play your composition and I highly recommend it. 

The sheet music has since been transcribed on computer and uploaded and can be found here online. 

An annex (or coda) to this wedding story.. We had two sisters as flower girls in our wedding. One was 6 years old, the younger was 3 at the time. 22 years later, the younger sister got married. I was asked to play piano for that wedding. And the request specified the use of Awakenings as the song to be used for the processional in that wedding. So honored, once again! To be chosen as an inclusion of two people's most special day of their life is overwhelming to even comprehend. And for them to use my composition for the most amazing moment... there are no adequate words..

As for the conclusion to this story, upon review by the professor for the Music Theory challenge, this composition unfortunately did not win that particular recognition. I still remember the face of the girl who was awarded the honor - but do not remember her name or hearing her composition. This selection laid the foundation for me to have enough confidence to eventually pursue additional compositions. They say you always remember your first - in this case, I would agree. 

January 11, 1998 - My first ever recording session in Minnesota Lake, MN. Awakenings was the first song we recorded. More about these sessions will be shared in an upcoming Behind the MusiK post featuring the cd Ascend.

Meanwhile, be sure to check back next week - and each succeeding week -  for another installment of Behind the MusiK.

                                                          Awakenings - Live video 

Awakenings on Spotify

Stream Ascend on ReverbNation

Awakenings on iTunes

Grey Havens - In the Journey:

Grey Havens - In the Journey: 

Order Today!

 

Grey Havens - In the Journey, the newest release 
by Jeffrey van D is now available for purchase.
Orders placed by July 1 will receive FREE SHIPPING.

CONSIDER BEING AMONG THE FIRST TO OWN 
THIS GEM! 
Order here! See below for details. Use our email for
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We have the following CDs available for purchase:
*Grey Havens - In the Journey
*Ascend: Limited availability - full price only: $15
*Bending Chords
*Don't Ever Forget
*Yuletide Reflections
*Evensong Meditation: hymns and Americana

First CD costs $15.
Add any subsequent CDs for $7.50 
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JavaMusiK.com - a coffeehouse 4 your spirit..

Grey Havens Track Listing:

1. Grey Havens
2. As It Was Written
3. Within the Labyrinth
4. My Elusive Muse
5. Are You Twinkling Through the Night?
6. Beethoven's Fate - Symph #5, Mvt 2
7. Misty
8. Symphonyze!
9. And So It Goes
10. Jubi Latte
11. Evening Prayer
12. Spirit of the Heartland
13. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Yuletide Reflections: Now Available

YULETIDE REFLECTIONS, the new piano/keyboard-based Christmas cd by Jeff Van Devender. Please buy multiple copies! Now taking orders for immediate shipment HERE.

Blog #36: Previews of Newly Recorded Rough Drafts Posted

This widget contains recordings of a few of my old gems mixed in with some newly released studio takes from recent sessions. Enjoy!

Blog #35: Showcase in the Mountains: June 9 at YMCA of The Rockies; The only scheduled pre cd-release concert

Following this concert in the mountains of Estes Park, CO, Van Devender will return to a studio for the first time in 7 years to record his 3rd cd for The JavaMusiK Label. A projected Fall '09 release will feature new compositions and arrangements developed since the release of Bending Chords in 2002.

Attendees of this concert will be treated to many of the standby's from Ascend & Bending Chords along with a few new nuggets in preparation for the upcoming studio sessions. According to Jeff, "Several pieces will be seeing their first performance for anyone besides myself at this concert!"

"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of audience response these new pieces will generate," Van Devender shares. "In addition, playing them in front of an audience prior to going into a studio aids in building necessary confidence for once the take is live. Otherwise, no matter how many times I've played for myself, playing for posterity is somewhat daunting."

This free concert promises to give the audience a refreshing showcase of piano music. The show marks Van Devender's 10 year anniversary since his debut at YMCA of The Rockies as a featured performer for Summerfest. Since then, he has returned nearly every summer and found it to be a great place to showcase.

Showtime: 7:30 pm; Tuesday, June 9
Venue: Hempel Auditorium; YMCA Of The Rockies
City, State: Estes Park, CO