SoundClick artist: JavaMusiK - JavaMusiK promotes music without words - a universal language w/ no need for translation. Come visit

NEWS Special Announcement: Jeff received his MME Masters of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music, July 26, 2008. Next up, some time in the studio will be not much further down the road. New material is all written & we can hopefully begin to finally look forward to a 3rd JavaMusiK release and other subsequent projects in tandem.

We're pleased to announce that Jeff was invited for the 7th time in 10 years to showcase at Summerfest in Estes Park at YMCA of The Rockies. This is always a very cool event, so we always look forward to it & this year was no exception. Later this summer, we hope to post some audio from that particular showcase here, so stay tuned.

A note from Jeff:
Hello,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for your support over the last 10 years. This is the music that I am truly passionate about & while it is not a full-time profession for me, it is what inspires me. The icing on the cake has been the people who take time out of their lives to come hear me play, buy my music online & at showcases, include my music on play lists and just offer words of praise & encouragement. It is sometimes overwhelming to think that there are people out there who actually enjoy & appreciate something I created. I'm truly humbled by that fact!

JavaMusiK is just a small organization, but we have our sights set on a projected growth cycle over the next 10 years with plans to branch out into other projects & divisions including publishing, etc. It is truly exciting to look ahead and consider the possibilities.

Meanwhile, I hope you find something here you can enjoy. If you do, please share on our 'Comments' board. We read those!

A quick postscript here - I am looking forward to starting a new teaching job in a different school district this coming year. My previous teaching job was rewarding and the future looks bright. This coming school year will mark my 18th year as a professional music educator in the public schools! As a state board member in Colorado Music Educators Association, it gives me great pride and joy to work with children in a teaching capacity. Between this profession, playing piano for two churches and JavaMusiK, I'm very lucky.

Thanks for stopping by.
Jeff

» go to the music page for more

full

After The Rain (Live)

full

Prelude In C/With Grace/Route 451/Strive (Live)

Strive

After The Rain

Synyrgyze!

It Is Well

Final Farewell

And If It Ends

Finlandia - Jean Sibelius

full

Simple Gifts

check all 25 songs on the music page

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. . . a coffeehouse for your spirit.

JavaMusiK features the music of Colorado musician
Jeffrey van D - aka Jeff Van Devender.

Born & raised in Iowa, Van Devender benefited from his parents providing piano lessons for him, starting in third grade through college. After taking nearly a year off in 7th grade, an Elton John song forced him to return to the bench of a piano teacher in order to gain the necessary skills for mastery of that song by his newfound musical hero of the day.

Composition became a hobby throughout his college years, spawned by his music theory classes & has gradually blossomed into a passion eventually leading to 'Ascend' & 'Bending Chords.'

Why this name?
Why This Name?
Some of the earlier venues to feature
Van Devender's live performances were coffeehouses.
The music has a coffeehouse feel to it & the name just seemed to fit.

Do you play live?
Do you play live?
*St. John's Episcopal Church - New Castle, CO; Sundays
*Carbondale Methodist Church - Carbondale, CO; Sundays
*YMCA of the Rockies - Estes Park & Granby, CO; Summers
*Your town - Whenever you're ready!

In 2005, Jeff toured cross country from Chicago to California playing in a variety of venues including churches, camps, coffeehouses, hotel lobbies and theaters bringing his music to enthusiastic audiences of many sizes across the western U.S.

"I truly enjoy witnessing the reaction my music brings from people when they hear my music for the first time," Jeff says of his touring experience. "Even though I am not that well known, people often come up to me afterwards and treat me as though I just pranced down the red carpet. If they only knew... HA!"

2003-04 saw Jeff in the capacity as lobby/bar/restaurant pianist for 3 prominent hotels/attractions in Aspen, Estes Park & Glenwood Springs, CO. While making for a demanding schedule, Jeff saw many benefits from serving this industry for a time.

Occasionally, Jeff's music has served as a charitable cause in various forms, not the least of which his dedication Storm King Sacrifice has proven. In the wake of the South Canyon fire, which claimed the lives of 14 firefighters, Van Devender's music serves as a reminder that they will not be forgotten. As a witness that fateful day who still drives past the site almost daily, Van Devender's memory of the event nearly 15 years later has not faded.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
How does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
The internet has increased the accessibility of the broad range of music being created today, so that anyone who has a recording of themselves can suddenly make it literally available worldwide. That is huge!

'Autumn Chill' was our first song to reach the coveted #1 position on the SoundClick Contemporary Classical Charts, where over 4,500 songs are hosted. Next, 'After The Rain' achieved the same pinnacle. Most recently, 'Strive' has achieved this distinction on that same Contemporary Classical Chart. These charts are updated once per day based on the number of plays and feedback a song receives.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
If a lawyer (whom I trusted) and my instincts were to assure me that I wasn't selling my soul, I would entertain offers.

Band History:
Band History:
Visit our JavaMusiK site for loads of info!

Education:
High School Diploma - Oskaloosa, Iowa (1980)
-Band President for the award-winning concert, marching & jazz bands. Also in chorus, orchestra & the musical production Man of La Mancha as a cast member.

BA - Music Business: Northeast Missouri State University - now Truman State University; Kirksville, MO (1985)
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Chapter Vice President

BME - Teacher Certification: University of Northern Colorado; Greeley, CO (1990)

Masters Degree - MMEd: VanderCook College of Music; Chicago, IL (2008)

Professional History:
Elementary Music Ed.: New Castle, CO (2008)
Elementary Music Ed.: Parachute, CO (2001-2008)
- Colorado Music Education Assn State Board Rep. (2006-2008)
HS/MS Band/Vocal Ed.: Garfield Co., CO (1998-2001)
HS/MS Band/Vocal Ed.: North Kossuth, IA (1995-1998)
Elementary Music Ed.: Eagle County, CO (1991-1995)
Sales Rep. - Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (1989-1990)
Store Manager - Transworld Music Corp., Milwaukee, WI (1986-1989)
News Production - KTVO, ABC Affiliate; Kirksville, MO (1983-1985)
Conferences A/V - YMCA of The Rockies; Estes Park, CO (1983,1986)

Your influences?
Who are some of your musical influences?
So many!
To name a few - my parents, Elton John, George Winston, Keith Jarrett, David Lanz, Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny, Beethoven & Mozart, The Beatles, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Bill Evans, Jim Brickman, Keith Emerson.....

Favorite spot?
Do you have a favorite spot or city?
I would love to travel & visit all the corners of the earth,
but the place I really don't want to miss is Jerusalem. I really enjoyed my visit to the Canadian Rockies summer 2008 & look forward to a return visit!

Equipment used:

What equipment do you use?
1938 Baldwin Howard Baby Grand Piano
Oberheim Eclipse 88 Key Digital Piano
Alesis S4 Sound Module
Roland Amplifier

Anything else?
Buy my cd's & help me get my twins' college fund going! Available at cdbaby.com.

Each song is also available for digital download at iTunes.

Currently, Jeff is working on his masters degree in music education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. As a result, his focus isn't currently on performing and recording as much as he'd prefer. Look for a return to playing live & hopefully promoting a new cd upon his graduation Summer 2008! Until then, keep a watchful eye here as new live recordings will soon be leaked, including a few not yet released compositions. SOON!

E-mail us & say hello at javamusik(at)msn.com.

Visit The JavaMusiK-OnLinE Merchandise Center!

Anything else...?

Thanks for stopping by!