I wanted to record something very gentle for my friends that have gone through the weather disasters of the last two days. I hope you can close your eyes and relax for a few minutes

For My Friends On A Sad Day

Come To_gether

Thanksgiving

Poem by Julia Hoffman
Music by David Hoffman

Flugelhorn, shells, Ableton Live, Omnisphere and Reason

Forever

We're all on a pilgrimage, whether we know it or not

Pilgrimage

a tune inspired by an Oliver Nelson favorite

Momentz

Sometimes music can ease the pain of senseless tragedy. Stay strong and passionate, my beloved Knox community. 

For Lexie And My Knox Family

David Hoffman - Flugelhorn, Conch Shells, Ableton Live, Reason
Paul Adams - Native American Flutes

Winter Serenity (version 2 with flute)

UMMG

Commemorating my trip to Belize a few years ago I wrote a song for them. Beautiful people there.

To Belize

Ableton Live, Omnisphere, Reason, Trumpet, Bass Trumpet, EWI, Conch Shells

Summer Dream

I wrote this tune for the Jazz Vespers service that I do at the Westminister Presbyterian Church. This is a more electronic version. The tune was inspired by a poem of Maya Angelou's.

Amazing Peace

A groove using Trumpet, Bass Trumpet, Shells, Ableton and Reason.

What Is Right, and What Is Wrong

Written for Jazz Vespers. Trumpet, Shells, Ableton, Reason, Omnisphere.

Harvest

Imagine a walk (or a life) that inexplicably leads you through mysterious and unfamiliar landscapes, simultaneously comforting and disturbing. Images of your past mingle with others as you realize our paths frequently intersect.

Near And Far

something i started for a friends film project

Film 1

Inspired by Julia's writing.

Sunbeam
She stood on the platform, dressed in a grey uniform with a yellow sash that displayed her badges as she recited her pledge: “I promise that I will try to love God, to be obedient, to be loving and kind to all, to be true to the Sunbeam Declaration.” She felt proud and loved as she looked at her momma who was smiling at her. She now recited her declaration. “I understand that as a Sunbeam I should: pray morning and evening, speak the truth, be kind to animals, never steal, swear, gamble, touch harmful drugs or strong drinks.” The congregation clapped.
A moment in time, that would be treasured a lifespan. Away from the evil monster, in the safety of loved ones and in the presence of the Holy Spirit life seemed different. She smiled a rare occurrence for her. The piano started playing and she gladly joined in with the other girls singing, “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for Him each day; in every way try to please Him, At home, at school, at play. A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam; a sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
After the service they had a Mother and Daughter Tea and her momma stayed to partake with her. The sunbeams presented each of their mother’s with a rose. Again her mother smiled at her as she accepted the lovely rose and kissed her on her cheek. The softness of the kiss, the gentleness of her touch and the sweet smell of lilac all offered comfort to the child.
Franny, the Sunbeam leader called her to the front to receive her badges. Her m0mma patted her on her back as she headed to where Franny was. The touch of the pat made her heart smile for it was one of pride. She knew her momma was proud of her and for her she longed so much to please her momma. Franny explained that at camp this summer, the child had earned her Personal Safety/Safety First; Adventurer; First Aider; Flower Study and Play Acting Badges. Everyone clapped as she went back to sit next to her momma. Her momma looked at each badge and smiled once again at her daughter. “You have done well. I am proud of you.” The child did not know why she was crying for she was not sad. She would hold these memories in her soul forever.
At the end of the program the momma and the child gathered their things to leave. The momma thanked Franny for all she did for the children and they headed out the door. Instead of turning right at the bottom of the steps the momma turned left. The child looked to her mom. She smiled and reached out to her daughter, gently cupping her face. “I thought I might treat us to some ice-cream.” The child held her momma’s hand and gladly walked beside her.

-Julia Hoffman 2016 Gentle Steps to Healing

Sunbeam

This is dedicated to the young musicians of the Knox Jazz Ensemble and Cherry Street Combo, who were welcomed to China with open hearts by the students of the Northwestern Polytechnic University in Xi'an, to whom this is further dedicated.

Children Of China (We Are All One)

My impressions of my visit to Xi'an. I dug it, and I've never composed a tune starting with the letter "X". The apostrophe in the middle is a bonus.

Recorded with Ableton, Reason, Omnisphere, Conch and Trumpet/.

Xi'an

Dedicated to the city of St. Ignacio, Belize, where I had a great day playing music, eating street food, and enjoying the ambiance of the place and the people.

Couesnon flugelhorn, Ableton Live and Reason

St Ignacio

Jane Lady requested that this be played at her Memorial service, and is dedicated to Jane

Largo (Dvorak)

A Christmas gift to all. From Jazz Vespers Christmas, 12/18/16 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Peoria, IL

Jamika Russell - vocals
Derel Monteith - piano
Andy Crawford - bass
Tom Marko - drums
David Hoffman - trumpet


Chris Hovey - remote recording

We Three Kings

From Jazz Vespers Christmas, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Peoria, IL 12/18/16
Music - David Hoffman
Words - David Scott

Jamika Russell - Voice
Derel Monteith - Piano
Andy Crawford - bass
Tom Marko - drums
David Hoffman - flugelhorn

Christmas In Your Heart

From a CIJS event of a few years ago. Panache was a coffee house in Peoria where many of us had regular gigs that lasted years.

David Hoffman - trumpet
Doug Stone - tenor sax
Mike Nellas - Guitar
Kevin Hart - vibes
Tim Brickner - bass
Tom Marko - drums

Panache

Great tune by my friend Sam Crain. From a Jazz Society event in 2006

David Hoffman - trumpet
Doug Stone - tenor sax
Mike Nellas - guitar
Kevin Hart - vibes
Tim Brickner - bass
Tom Marko - drums

A-B Positive

what do my piano afficianado friends think of this piano sound? looking for opinions, suggestions, all of that.

Peaceful evening

a simple mood piece created with Alchemy on the Ipad and Reason on my laptop.

Bell Mandala

Flugelhorn and a couple of sounds from Omnisphere, recorded into Reaper

Humming

Blooming (flugelhorn added)

What if a Daoist Monk sat in at the swinginist jazz club on Mars? There are a couple of Gregorians in there too.

DavidHoffmanTrumpet

Popular tracks