"Morning Improvisations Parts I-IV"
J.Joustra
2013


These works are one-take, solo piano improvisations. Throughout the works, you'll begin to hear a main theme accompanied by many varying statements based around the original musical thought.

The music is intended to move fluidly and symmetrically -  similar to tapping into a personal a stream of consciousness. 

The inspiration behind the "Morning Improvisations" and their selected "Parts I-IV', lies within the sounds, feels, textures, and rhythmic qualities of water; both in precipitation forms and various bodies of water. 

Morning Improvisations (Pts. I-IV)

"Morning Improvisations (Side B)"
J.Joustra
2013

These works are one-take, solo piano improvisations. Throughout the works, you'll begin to hear a main theme accompanied by many varying statements based around the original musical thought.

The music is intended to move in phase with its given note values and pitches. It's to offer the listener varying musical input through tones, scale degrees, intervals, and phase-like qualities - all to introduce an almost "choose your own musical path" option to the listener.

The inspiration behind the "Morning Improvisations" (Side B), lies within the sounds, feels, textures, and rhythmic qualities of the urban landscape. At times Side B, takes you towards a feeling of sensory overload and towards a feeling of longing for the simplicity of tone that "Morning Improvisations (Parts I-IV)" has to offer.

"Morning Improvisations (Parts I-IV)" and "(Side B)" offer stark difference of tone and timbre.

Morning Improvisations (SIDE B)

"Big Boss Hoffa"
Jim Joustra Sound Productions - Copyright 2011-

Big Boss Hoffa

John Scofield/Pat Metheny Cover of "Everybody's Party" (Solo)

Everybodys party (solo)

This is an excerpt from my entire 10 minute work "Enter the Void" (Pts. 1-3) This is a latin-esk solo section from Part 3.

Latin Open Section (Enter the Void Part III)

Here are two excerpts from my extended piece "Enter the Void" (Pts. 1-3) This is pulled from Enter the Void (Part 1) "Awake"

Enter the Void (Part I) Excerpts

Duke Ellington's "A Train" - Arrangement by Jim Joustra. 

"A Train" Excerpts

The Jimmy Joustra Quartet - Live in Lockport - Jim Joustra (Guitar), Drew Azzinaro (Guitar), Mike Ball (Bass), Ryan Nogle (Drums) 

Everybody's Party

Another fine jam from the Jimmy Joustra Quartet circa 2008! Jim Joustra, Drew Azzinaro, Mike Ball, and Ryan Nogle featuring Pat Allison (Trumpet) jim McFarlane (Guitar 3) and Jon Campbell (Alto Sax). Featured on Live in Lockport - 2008 - Jimmy Joustra Quartet

Jam>Cissy's Strut>Bass Solo>Cissy's Strut (Meters) (JJQ)

An assortment of my guitar solos over the past 5 years. The track listing is below if you'd like to check out the longer, full length versions.

1.) Everybody's Parts (Sco/Metheny) - The Jim Joustra Quartet (JJQ) 2009-12-13 - Tonawanda, NY.

2.) Sweet Virginia (Stones) - The Fine Machines - 2012-11-10 - New York, NY

3.) Key to the Highway (Broonzy) - The Fine Machines - 2012-11-10 - New York, NY

4.) Swamp Funk (JLA) - Studio Session - Winter 2010 - Boston, MA (http://jimjoustra2.wix.com/jgj2newsite#!__live-gigs-lessons/bio)

5.) Binary Stars (D.Piccoli) - The Fine Machines - "Distant Shores" studio release - Brooklyn, NY (http://www.thefinemachines.com/) (www.facebook.com/thefinemachines)

6.) Swamp Funk (Reprise) (JLA) - Studio Session - Winter 2010 - Boston, MA

Jim Joustra Guitar Solos 2008-2012

James G. Joustra 2nd was born and raised in Western New York State, where he began music at an early age. Shortly after beginning studies on Trombone at age 9, Jim also began studying guitar with two local guitar players; Ron LoCurto and Ralph Fava. Throughout his time at Lockport High School, he played in countless bands and ensembles, (inside and outside of school hours) refining his jazz and blues chops. Jim and his friends could always be found at the Lafayette Tap Room in Buffalo, NY and such clubs as Nietzsche's, Braccettos, and (a favorite) Gonzo's in downtown Lockport, NY.

In 2005, Jim was accepted to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During his his time at Berklee, he was able to study and jam with such well known professors as Bruce Bartlett, Garrison Felwell, and Craig Hlady. While pursuing performances in the Boston areas, Joustra studied large-ensemble jazz techniques with Dick Lowell and Ken Pullig.; two pillars of the Berklee Jazz Composition Program. Upon graduating with a degree in Jazz Composition and Guitar Performance, Jim again hit the New York City music scene with more than a few groups in genres such as neo-folk, jazz, jazz fusion, and rock. In 2013, Jim performed lead guitar duties on the debut record "Distant Shores" by The Fine Machines. 

Outside of Jim's own performances and studio recordings with his Jim Joustra Trio and Quartets, he's had the honor of sitting in with such elite musicians as  Robert Cray, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, James Cotton, and Levon Helm. The now defunct 'Smokin Joe's BBQ' in Brighton Center, MA was the mecca for last minute sit-ins and long, long after-hours jam sessions!

Currently, Jim is based in Jersey City, NJ and playing gigs across the NYC Metro are0as. At the moment he's working on a solo guitar LP as well as an all-acoustic EP and very exciting writings for the newly re-formulated Jim Joustra Trio. He's anticipating follow-up dates and live recordings from each set of shows.

Jim Joustra Guitar

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