FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION
The Sourland Symphony ~ James Popik
CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL
ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
The Sourland Symphony
Instrumental Acoustic Music by James Popik inspired by and dedicated to the Sourland Mountain featuring Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Bouzouki, Mandolin and Percussion. Guitarist James Popik brings a unique touch and repertoire to his music. From Acoustic Jazz to electrified Fusion Jams, classical Brazilian music and American songbook masters to reworked rock anthems, James has forged a unique voice. At last check Jim has logged over 2500 gigs in the last few years in over 200 different venues from Maine to New Orleans including The White House in DC.
(See next section for complete bio.)
VIDEO LOUNGE
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Guitarist James Popik brings a unique touch and repertoire to his music. From Acoustic Jazz to electrified Fusion Jams, classical Brazilian music and American songbook masters to reworked rock anthems, James has forged a unique voice.At last check Jim has logged over 3000 gigs in the last few years in over 200 different venues from Maine to New Orleans including The White House in DC.Recent recording activity includes: 'The Sourland Symphony' an all acoustic, all instrumental thematic record featuring Violin,
Cello, Bass, Percussion, Mandolin and guitar. 'Acoustic Sketches' w/ Bassist Lawrence Haber, 3 EPs with Ten Foot Tall, and The Grammy nominated 'Fitness Rock & Roll' CD by Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band.Notable performances include a run of shows in the north east opening for Los Lonely Boys, opening for Dave Mason, Marshall Tucker, Butch Trucks, Backing jazz legend Richie Cole (Doc Severinson, Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton. ) Festival appearance with Rock & Roll hall of famer Bernie Worrell (Parliament, Talking Heads) Special concert with Henry McCullogh (Wings, Joe Cocker) as well as billings with Steve Forbert and RobertHazard. And not least, performing outside at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave for thousands.Member of BMI, NARAS
https://www.jamespopikmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/The SourlandSymphony
https://www.facebook.com/JamesPopikMusic/
https://www.reverbnation.com/jamespopik
https://www.youtube.com/mountainjazzman
https://jamespopik.bandcamp.com
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Green Mountain Melting
Inspired by mountains of all kinds this free and uplifting melody came to me after observing the melting snows on a recent trip. The 6/8 meter rolls like the hills and the rising and falling melody evokes the peaks and valleys.
West Mountain
Less hilly and easier to farm, many portions of the west side of the Sourlands have open fields bordered by woods and wetlands which gave rise to this pastoral melody punctuated by by thrilling surprises.
Headwaters
In the wooded uplands are many pools and small streams that form the headwaters of the Raritan and Delaware rivers. From quiet, hidden, rock-strewn wetlands, the water, from a myriad of sources, slowly gains momentum on its’ journey downstream.
Shagbark Shuffle
One of the iconic trees of the Sourlands, the Shagbark Hickory sways and dances with it’s curved trunk. It’s “shaggy” bark gives it an other worldly look and it’s 5 petaled leaves inspired this bluesy shuffle in 5/4.
Southside Spring
Morning sun, dew, light rain, emerging greenery, emerging life. Halo drums and 10 string guitar worked perfect to evoke the awakening forest.
Woosamonsa Valley
The upper reaches of Jacobs Creek finds the Woosamonsa Ridge. This Native American description, recorded in 1689, was “Wissomency” and is thought to mean place of wrinkled trees. Probably referring to the Shagbarks. It is a hidden gem with steep slopes, rocks, and a beautiful stream giving way to a wide rock filled brook on its way to the Delaware.
Roaring Rocks
One particular location on the east end of the Sourlands, Roaring Rocks is literally a river of boulders with a stream running beneath. Under the right conditions you can stand on the mounds and hear the water below. The trickle turns into a roar. Musically represented by the quiet arpeggios building to insistent chords and splashed with syncopated percussion.
Threnody For The Ash
One million Ash trees in the Sourlands have died in the past three years due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. This elegy in an insistent yet changing meter, combined with an modernist abstract melody expresses the uncertainty and loss from this event.I hope we don’t lose them completely
Devil’s Half Acre Blues
A deeply haunted and forbidding place. Go there if you dare!
Project Credits
& Team Links
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Personnel:
Green Mountain Melting - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello
West Mountain - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello, Mark Stewart - Mandolin
Headwaters - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello
Southside Spring - James Popik 6 and 10 String Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Karttikeya Arul - Handpan drums, percussion
Threnody For The Ash - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Joe Deninzon - Violin
Woosamonsa Valley - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin
The Shagbark Shuffle - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Mandolin
Roaring Rocks - James Popik - 6 and 10 String Guitars, Karttikeya Arul - Cajon, Percussion, Dan Kassel - Cello
Devil’s Half Acre Blues - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Deninzon, Violin, Joe Peterson - Bass, Mark Stewart - Mandolin, Bouzouki
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All titles written by James Popik. Published and © byMountain Jazz Publishing, BMI
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Personnel:
Green Mountain Melting - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello
West Mountain - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello, Mark Stewart - Mandolin
Headwaters - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Andy Janowiak - Cymbals, Toms, Chuggy Carter - Congas, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Aaron Minsky - Cello
Southside Spring - James Popik 6 and 10 String Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Karttikeya Arul - Handpan drums, percussion
Threnody For The Ash - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Peterson - Bass, Joe Deninzon - Violin
Woosamonsa Valley - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin
The Shagbark Shuffle - James Popik - Guitar, Mark Amentt - Bass, Dan Monaghan - Drums, Joe Deninzon - Violin, Mandolin
Roaring Rocks - James Popik - 6 and 10 String Guitars, Karttikeya Arul - Cajon, Percussion, Dan Kassel - Cello
Devil’s Half Acre Blues - James Popik - Guitar, Joe Deninzon, Violin, Joe Peterson - Bass, Mark Stewart - Mandolin, Bouzouki
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SOCIALS & LINKS:
Website:https://www.jamespopikmusic.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thesourlandsymphony
Instagram:
PHOTO GALLERY
