In August 1877, Asaph Hall of the U.S. Naval Observatory conducted a systematic search and discovered two satellites, or moons, of Mars within a few nights of each other. Hall named the moons Phobos and Deimos, after the two sons of Mars who were his chariot attendants and constant companions. However, this was not the first time that the existence of these moons had been theorized. Almost three centuries earlier, in the early 17th century, astronomer Johannes Kepler had also proposed the idea of two moons orbiting Mars. This was due to a secret coded letter received from his colleague Galileo Galilei. Both Galileo and Kepler were influential figures in the field of astronomy, and their contributions are still celebrated today. 

When Galileo sent his coded letter, Kepler was eager to solve it and feel validated in his theories about Mars. The letter was written in Latin and contained a word puzzle for Kepler to decipher. Despite his best efforts, Kepler's interpretation of the code was not entirely accurate. He rearranged the letters to read 'be greeted, double-knob, children of Mars,' and believed this confirmed his theory. However, the actual solution to the puzzle was a playful joke from Galileo, not a scientific revelation.

This song is part of the project Analog Buildup.

Special thanks to Percussionist Reinaldo Ocando for his work on the bongos.

The Children of Mars

This is a contemporary jazz piece in my new project titled "Fables". This song is based on the Turkish fairy tale "The Wizard Dervish". This piece has the following musicians: soprano sax & alto sax by Manuel Trabucco, drums by Soykan Akkaya, bass by Doga Ay and Percussion (Cajon, Maracas, Ghungroo Bells, Shaker, Triangle and the Woodblocks) by Larry Salzman.

The Wizard Dervish

This is the first completed track of my newest project "Morning Songs Of South Jersey". This project is made up of compositions that are about various locations around southern New jersey. This piece includes Davide Bonomo on flute.  The natural sounds were recorded just after daylight on Money Island Road which is situated between Alloway Creek Watershed Wetland Restoration Site and Abbott's Meadow Wildlife Management Area, Latitude 39.527032 and Longitude -75.504876.

Money Island Road

Un homme inconnu | J. Combs | Luc 23.32-43

This project, “Fables” consists of contemporary jazz compositions. Each song is based off a fable from around the world. Old Dragonbeard comes from the Chinese Fairy Book (published 1921), which is a collections of Chinese fairy tales.  This features Manuel Trabucco on Tenor Sax and bass solo by Doğa Ay. 

Fables

Old Dragon-Beard

Eglise évangélique mennonite de Tavannes

“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus.

The music industry (like many things) has changed greatly since I bought my first 45 record (Green Eyed Lady) at my hometown record shop in 1970. It would be very easy to lament over these changes (and I have.) However, with change comes new opportunities, and thanks to websites/apps like Soundcloud we musicians and composers have the opportunity to to be heard as never before. So thank you Soundcloud and thank you for visiting my page. - Jim Combs

Bio
* Born 1959
* From Southern New Jersey, USA
* Instruments: Guitar (jazz & classical), Bass, Piano, Voice 
* Influential LPs/music (not all and in no specific order): Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds of Fire, Miles Davis - Nefertiti & Sketches of Spain, Larry Coryell – Spaces, Weather Report - Heavy Weather, Pat Martino – Consciousness, Return to Forever  - Romantic Warrior,  Chick Corea - The Leprechaun, Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow,  Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures, Santana & McLaughlin - Love Devotion Surrender, ELP – Trilogy, Genesis - Wind and Wuthering, Yes - Close to the Edge, David Sancious - The Bridge, Be Bop Deluxe - Sunburst Finish, Ambrosia - Somewhere I've Never Traveled, Journey – Journey,  Rite of Spring & Petrushka – Stravinsky, Don Quixote - Richard Strauss, La Mer - Claude Debussy, Pavane pour une infante défunte & Daphnis et Chloé – Ravel, Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta - Bartok ,  Andrew Lloyd Webber - Jesus Christ Superstar, Jerry Goldsmith - MacArthur, The Omen, Planet Of The Apes (1968), Isao Tomita - Snowflakes Are Dancing & The Bermuda Triangle.

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