Fall of 2017 saw a new release on the JavaMusiK label by me, Jeff Van Devender.
Usually, my piano works have been released under the Jeffrey van D moniker. My
specialty albums have come out, however, using my given name - Jeff Van
Devender. To date, I have released two specialty albums, "Yuletide Reflections" (Christmas/Holiday fare) and "Evensong Meditation" (Hymn/Folksong Melodies)in addition to the four released by "Jeffrey van D."
Following the release of Yuletide Reflections, I did a series of concerts capped
off by a final show for the Season in the church I grew up in - Central United Methodist Church
in my Iowa hometown of Oskaloosa, Iowa. This was to be the final full-fledged concert my
mother ever saw me perform, aside from little private events at her care
facilities she lived in. I miss her dearly.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a favorite Christmas song of mine. The somewhat
haunting melody suggests a mindset of inner reflection, perhaps painted with a
light snow for a backdrop. I love playing this and am particularly pleased with
the arrangement I happened upon along with my producer, Brett Wilson. I hope you
enjoy listening as much as I enjoy playing this beautiful melody.
April 19, 1992: Musicians rehearse for the April 20 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert to take place at Wembly Stadium in London. The rehearsals took place at Bray Studios in Windsor, England. The band Queen rehearsed with many artists for the emotional tribute concert for their fallen lead singer Freddie Mercury who passed away from Aids in November 1991.
The following pictures highlight David Bowie sharing a couple rare moments of personable interaction with Elton John. These photos are especially poignant because the two rock stars famously fell out with each other early on in their subsequent early 70's rise to superstardom. As rehearsals took part throughout the week prior, the actual photo dates are assumed to be the 19th, but may possibly be earlier in the week.
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!
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.
Lost Minuet: Jeff Van Devender aka Jeffrey van D
Originally recorded 2009 for the "Don't Ever Forget" album.
I recorded this video at home, as the original recording has somehow recently sprouted a life of it's own, far and away becoming my most played original composition - on YouTube, Spotify, etc.
Please give a listen & give a SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel while you're there. Thank you. https://youtu.be/nd42ICDeNcY via @YouTube
This is post number 5 in a weekly series dedicated to examining the background behind songs recorded, written and/or arranged by Jeff Van Devender, aka Jeffrey van D, for The JavaMusiK Label. Beginning in 1998, Jeff set out to record and lay down for posterity songs he had written over the course of the previous 17 years. Now, 22 years later, the stories are beginning to be told before they are forgotten. More behind the genesis of that idea can be found on Post #1.
Spirit of the Heartland was the first song to be written following the release of Don't Ever Forget in early fall 2009. As the sessions were wrapping up for Don't Ever Forget, a few small promotional gigs were played in and around the town where the recording had taken place - Oskaloosa, Iowa - where Jeff had spent his childhood. One of the gigs was a one-off at a popular coffeehouse in town, known as Smokey Row.
During this gig, music was primarily chosen from Jeff's first three cd's of material - Ascend, Bending Chords, and the newly recorded Don't Ever Forget - along with the occasional cover song. Several of the songs Jeff has written, recorded and played live possess a theme inspired by or named after something to do with mountains. Long story short, having lived most of his early life and grown up in the midwest, Jeff high-tailed it for the mountains once that became an option.
After naming off and playing a couple of those songs during the appearance, a rather observant and not too shy farmer who was nice enough to attend shouted out, "Where is your song about Iowa??" Insert long pause here.. No answer was available for him, honestly. None.
The seemingly random inquiry that day compelled some drawn-out thought and reflection. 30 songs recorded over the course of 12 years, 2 of the albums recorded in the midwest, one of them in Iowa and the best that could be offered as having relevance to that question was New World Symphony - Largo, on the Bending Chords album. The official story of New World Symphony indicates that AntonÃn Dvořák spent the summer of 1893 in Spillville, Iowa - bringing his newly composed New World Symphony with him. His summer in Iowa inspired much of his writing, including putting final touches on the New World and developing other projects as well, following a year directing the National Conservatory of Music in New York City.
Aside from New World Symphony - Largo, there was nothing musically to represent a part of Jeff and where he came from. Sure, pieces of music had been written in Iowa. But nothing was really inspired or written specifically about that life. Returning to Colorado, following the completion of recording, a theme began to emerge over time. As pianist for a couple churches, these themes often began to appear in Jeff's service playing. During church services, Jeff will often balance his service music between prepared selections and service music mood "improvisation" depending on where it fits in the service.
Over the next few weeks, and without putting much conscious thought into it, Spirit of the Heartland began to take shape. Occasionally, the theme would present itself during the church service improvs, then at home it got pieced together with a little more conscious attention being paid to the direction and form of the piece. The mood felt right. The name came next and it just seemed to fit hand in glove. The opening verse sections indicate a pastoral feel representing the calm and vast countryside. But the mid-section reveals a little more grit and drive, representing rugged determination, individualism and resolve of the American rural farmer/resident. This was the life embedded into the DNA and essence of where Jeff was raised. When being played, it just feels like home.
Composed fall of 2009, the song was too late to be included on Don't Ever Forget. It would have to wait another ten years before finally being recorded for Grey Havens - In the Journey. The recording sessions for Grey Havens took place at SkyDance Mountain Studio in Berthoud, CO. Having recorded a couple cd's over the pervious year, the studio director Brett Wilson brought an ease to the process that enhanced the creative spirit of the process.
Listening back now to songs like Spirit of the Heartland following the completion of the project, it feels very reassuring to have found the right studio and producer-director and make the 3 or 4 hour drive to Brett's studio for each session. Brett set the tone that helped make a song about "home" feel like home when it was being recorded. Here's hoping you can feel that rural spirit in Spirit of the Heartland.
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.
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.
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 Paypal payment BY CLICKING HERE or arrange to send a check by emailing us at javamusik@gmail.com. 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 (Ascend excluded from special pricing.). Add $3 for shipping (10 cd's? Only $3 shipping!). **FREE SHIPPING thru July 1 Please indicate how many of each CD you'd like to order with your email, phone # and shipping address. We will ship the day Grey Havens arrives (or when your order arrives after Glen Havens release).
We accept orders through PayPal or check. If you arrange payment by check, email us your order details at javamusik@gmail.com. Please indicate PayPal order details on your PayPal note to vendor.
Please accept this sincere expression of our gratitude - THANK-YOU! Scott Jeffries - JavaMusiK Management 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, the new piano/keyboard-based Christmas cd by Jeff Van Devender. Please buy multiple copies! Now taking orders for immediate shipment HERE.
Annie Herring, former lead singer for the legendary music group “2nd Chapter of Acts,” will be performing a special concert April 29, 7:00 pm at Glenwood Springs (CO) First United Methodist Church located at 824 Cooper Avenue.
With over 30 years in her professional Christian music career, Herring has recorded 23 Albums. Her career began in the early seventies as the leader of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame Award winning singing group “Second Chapter of Acts” and has continued through the 90’s to date singing solo concerts.
Miss Herring’s music style is inspirational and is said to reach deep to the heart and stir the soul.
A Free-Will Offering will be collected at the concert. Donations to help defray the cost of bringing Annie’s ministry to Glenwood Springs, CO are also being accepted through the church.
For more information on Annie Herring and her history, visit her web site www.annieherring.com.
It is my sincere hope that this event can become a positive music ministry for our community that can take root and blossom into further events of similar consequence.
Blessings,
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
So after fighting it & calling it ridiculous, I'm now going to give twitter the obligatory test drive. Seeing as how you cannot turn on a tv or surf the net w/out hearing/reading the word twitter, and seeing as how I am about to embark on a 3rd cd release and can use all the promotion I can get.... I'm going for it.
There's just one slight little detail that I have yet to wrap my brain around. Finding subscribers who are going to give a hoot about any/every little thought that pops out of my messed up head. I can barely think of anyone I care to subscribe to for that purpose, so it seems a little silly to expect anyone to find their way to my domain and expect them to care. And, so it goes... the evolutionary process.
I made a comment somewhere (and I'm sure it's been observed elsewhere & regurgitated all over the place) to the effect of, first came blogging (here we are with THAT one) followed by facebook (not mentioning the myspace trainwreck) and now here's twitter.
I heard on the news this week that twitter execs are looking at an upcoming surcharge for twitter usage. If that's the case, then my twitter use will be shortlived at best. They don't charge me to blog & now 5 years into it, I'm still limping along with that technology. Thousands of words typed & I still haven't said a damn thing worth reading.
So, here's your invitation to come, join in & watch my twitter trainwreck at http://twitter.com/JavaMusiK . I truly have no clue what I'm doing, so it should be a real hoot. Meanwhile, you can be on the lookout for twitter updates on my upcoming cd recording throughout the month of June.
