Hello VWs,

A group I play with called American Bedouin released the album "Peasant Company" late last year. I am playing my buzz marimba from Chiapas on the solo. I mostly play percussion on the Cd but I am playing vibes on the track "Science Fiction" and buzz marimba on one other. This song is a 5 bar "Eastern Blues". We recorded one of my compositions called "Amor Feu, Eternite" on the CD as well. I think I posted a version of it somewhere on this ever expanding website.......

If your interested the album is available on iTunes, Amazon, and CdBaby

Here's a preview from a recording session I did recently that is still unreleased. We are still working on getting artwork and mastering done but I thought I would share this and see what VW thinks.

I posted a picture showing my rig for the session. I am using only the signal from the pickup through mostly analog effect pedals.

I wrote this composition for my wife (Layarne). It is supposed to be "floaty" and sweet but also rock out a bit ;)

Let me know what you think

Thanks

Hello everyone, here's a clip of one of my favorite compositions.

For my vibist friends in Italy: I'll be presenting a clinic at the Accademia Del Suono in Milan on May 16th from 3-5.

For more information: http://www.accademiadelsuono.it/WP/

In the spirit of Independence Month, here's a recording I made a couple months ago of my favorite gyil tune, "Banda Jel" (which means Lizard Egg). Originally composed by Kakraba Lobi for gyil, this is Valerie Naranjo's transcription for marimba. Banda Jel was challenging to learn, but worth it. Valerie has transcribed many gyil songs for marimba, which can be found at http://mandaramusic.com. There are some that are much easier than Banda Jel, such as a fun one called "Nuor Wongolo", or "Dog-face!" (I haven't ever recorded that one, but if I ever do I'll post it).

I was talking with my student Kristina O'dea about making up stickings for practicing and building your hands. She had a good one.

This is such a beautiful tune with a tremendously long form, which, for ballad lovers, should be of great interest. It's been performed as a fast tempo latin tune by several artists, such as Chick Corea, but I love it as a ballad with a loping even eighth note feel.