Jarvis and Friends, Volume 4 – The Northup Sessions #1

Composers Concordance Records: COMCON0064

Liner Notes on NAXOS: Jarvis and Friends, Volume 4 – The Northup Sessions is the fourth release in my series, which has its first entry in 2018. This volume was recorded at the Northup Drums Museum in Oneonta, New York on April 10 & 11, 2021.  The highly acclaimed New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, directed by Peter Jarvis, has been recording and performing since 1968 and continues its proliferation of percussion music with this release.  All the composition are by Peter Jarvis except for The Bells of Oneonta, which is by Daniel Iucci.  Jesse Gerbasi performs all the snare drum solos; Timothy Northup joins the ensemble as a guest performing on three tracks. Buddy’s Kit recorded by Peter Jarvis was recorded using Buddy Rich’s drum set.  – Peter Jarvis                                                                               

Composers: All compositions by Peter Jarvis except The Bells of Oneonta, which is by Daniel Iucci.

Performers – New Jersey Percussion Ensemble – Peter Jarvis, Director Jesse Gerbasi, Daniel Iucci, Peter Jarvis, and Timothy Northup

• Tracks 1, 3, and 11 performed by Jesse Gerbasi, Dan Iucci, Pete Jarvis, and Tim Northup
• Track 2 performed by Pete Jarvis
• Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, and 13 performed by Jesse Gerbasi
• Track 8 performed by Dan Iucci

Additional Credits: Engineer and Mastering – Daniel Iucci Graphic Artist – Anmari Linardi Front Cover Photo – Lynne Borden Mcclure, Back Cover and CD Photos – Timothy Northup

All of the music was recorded at the Northup Drums Museum in Oneonta, NY on April 10 & 11, 2021 Producers – Peter Jarvis and Timothy Northup

About the music:

Track 1 – Music for Hand Cymbals and Jingles, Opus 133 (2021) (3:55) is a performed on Bock-a-da-bock and Gladstone hand cymbals together with vintage jingle sticks. The piece begins with a groove played on Gladstone Hand Sock Cymbals and develops with various interactions and solo-like passages. – Recorded on authentic Gladstone Hand Sock Cymbals, Bock-a-da-bock Cymbals, and vintage jingle sticks.

Track 2 – Buddy’s Kit, Opus 132(2021) – Buddy’s Kit, Opus 132 is an homage to Buddy Rich. Among the hundreds of wonderful instruments in Tim Northup’s drums museum is one of Buddy Rich’s drum sets.  When we were planning the sessions at the museum, I could not resist including a track on which I played Mr. Rich’s kit. – Recorded on one of Buddy Rich’s drum sets

Track 3 – Interlude 1 – Excerpt from No Drums Allowed, Opus 134 (2021) (0:43) – Interlude 1, Is an excerpt for my Opus 134 No Drums Allowed.  While recording at the Northup Drums Museum, e used four of Tim’s drum sets but did not include any drums. The piece is designed to provide a relief of wood and metal instruments among this compilation, which is largely drums. – – Recorded on an array of vintage instruments.

Track 4 – Rhapsody for Snare Drum, Opus 110 (2019) (3:11) Rhapsody for Snare Drum, Opus 110 (2019) was completed on July 20, 2019.  This is my third piece for snare drum alone. Jesse Gerbasi, of the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble commissioned the piece and it is happily dedicated to him. – Recorded on a 1960’s Slingerland Artists Model – Buddy Rich Model, 5.5X14, White Marine Pearl

Track 5 – The Snares of Time, Opus 5 (2004-05; revised 2011) (3:15) Although it is difficult to be specific, many of the ideas in this piece have been inspired by and developed as a result of the countless discussions about music and any number of music making experiences I have enjoyed with friend and colleague John Ferrari. With profound respect, The Snares of Time is dedicated to John. – Recorded on a 1930’s Slingerland Artists Series 10 lug, 5X14, Sea Green Pearl.

Track 6 – And on It Goes, Opus 115 (2019) (3:32) And on It Goes, Opus 115 (2019) was completed on August 22, 2019.  With profound respect it is dedicated to long-time friend and colleague, Anton Vishio.  I hope this piece, in some small way, serves to thank Anton for the important guidance he has provided to me over the years. – Recorded on a 1935 Slingerland, Broadcaster Radio King, Solid Maple Shell, Walnut Veneer.

Track 7 – Funk 2019, Opus 116 (2019) (2:30) Funk 2019, Opus 116 (2019) was completed on August 27, 2019.  It is respectfully dedicated to Randall Rudolph.  Randy has made a singular and considerable contribution to the shaping of percussion literature for several decades. As long-time librarian at Steve Weiss Music, Randy advises, players, composers, and publishers.  He, more than anyone I know is in communication with all 3 of participants. And, in his own right, he makes additional contributions through his work as a virtuosic percussion player, with deep knowledge of the repertoire. – Recorded on a 1940 Leedy, Broadway Standard Swingster, 8X14, White Marine Pearl.                        

Track 8 – The Bells of Oneonta (2021) by Daniel Iucci is performed on 2 sets of intertwined vintage cow bells. The piece, which is melodic in nature, incorporates much rhythmic, and melodic counterpoint. The title captures the nature of the piece and the setting in which it was recorded. – Recorded on selected cow bells from Tim’s large variety of vintage bells.

Track 9 – Tunes Without Pitches, Opus 8 (2009) (3:14) Tunes Without Pitches, Op. 8, composed in July of 2009, is my second piece for snare drum alone. The piece is respectfully dedicated to my friend and colleague David Saperstein in recognition of his ongoing commitment to music, particularly percussion music. – Recorded on a 1927 Ludwig Super Snare Drum, 10 lug, 6.5X14, Super Sensitive Snares.

Track 10 – Timbre, Opus 117 (2019) (3:23) Timbre, Opus 117 (2019) was completed on August 22, 2019. The piece, which explores sounds among other qualities of music, is dedicated to recording engineer David Kerzner.  David and I had been recording together for nearly 20 years.  I no longer have any idea how many tracks we have done with me playing and Dave at the controls.  – Recorded on a 1940’s Ludwig, Tophat & Cane Finish, 6.5X14

Track 11 – Interlude 2 – Excerpt from No Drums Allowed, Opus 134 (2021) (1:01) Interlude 2, Is an excerpt for my Opus 134 No Drums Allowed.  While recording at the Northup Drums Museum, e used four of Tim’s drum sets but did not include any drums.  The piece is designed to provide a relief of wood and metal instruments among this compilation, which his largely drums. – Recorded on an array of vintage instruments.

Track 12 – Poly Groove, Opus 113 (2019) (2:55) Poly Groove, Opus 113 (2019) was completed on August 20, 2019.  It is dedicated to one of my mentors Joey Cass (Joseph Cassieri), drummer for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from c. 1966-1970. In addition to being a very nice man, Joey was an excellent jazz drummer, session man, and teacher. – Recorded on a 1928 Slingerland, Engraved Black Beauty, 5X14 * extremely rare (1 of 18 known to exist)

Track 13 – A Brief Look in the Rear View Mirror, Opus 114 (2019) (2:21) A Brief Look in the Rear View Mirror, Opus 114 (2019) was completed on August 21, 2019.  It is dedicated, with great respect, to a musician who has inspired me, Tyshawn Sorey. The title suggests a remembrance – in this case of the frequently changing meters that was typical of much contemporary music in the period of the 1960s through the mid 80s.  I was confronted with this feature during the time I was first introduced to “new music,” and the groove flexibility it suggests is dear to me still.                     – Recorded on a 1920’s Ludwig 10 lug Dance Model, 4X14, Nickel over brass