Jazz and pop favorites are on the playlist

July 11, 2011 (SALISBURY, NC) – The Marc Hoffman Trio, led by composer/recording artist Marc Hoffman, will perform for the Krazy Night Out family festival in downtown Salisbury this Friday, July 15, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

With Terry Peoples on bass and Rick Murray on drums, the trio will serve up many songs from Hoffman’s all-original jazz CD, Curioso, as well as other jazz and pop favorites.

Curioso features several tracks inspired by other jazz musician’s works. “Hefti” channels the light, lyrical work of Hoffman’s former composition professor, the late Neal Hefti. “Pontified” is Hoffman’s take on the late ‘70s music of Jean-Luc Ponty. “Introspective” is reminiscent of David Benoit’s smooth jazz. And Vince Guaraldi’s influence is apparent on the title tune, “Curioso.”

Virillion Music released the CD in 2010. Tracks can be heard on Marc Hoffman’s website, www.marchoffman.com, and at CDBaby, Amazon, and iTunes.

Marc will perform on July 30th at The Blue Vine in downtown Salisbury.

Krazy Night Out is a free family event featuring music, food, free trolley rides, the Ghost Walk and other entertainment, as well as late-night shopping throughout downtown Salisbury. Fun for kids includes inflatables, face painting, and more.

Downtown Salisbury, Inc., sponsors Friday Night Out events each month from April through October. “Many thanks to Betz McKeown and Downtown Salisbury for having us back this year,” Hoffman said.

For more information on Marc Hoffman, visit www.marchoffman.com.

Jeremy Vess joins guitar studio staff

June 20, 2011 (SALISBURY, NC) – Local musician and songwriter Jeremy Vess has joined the staff of the Salisbury School of Music. Vess will be teaching beginning guitar students and will also over-see the Band Jam program for teens which meets on Saturdays at the school.

“Jeremy is a wonderful performer and songwriter who’s music has been gaining popularity in NC and beyond for the past year,” said the school’s founder and artistic director, Marc Hoffman. “He is a natural when it comes to working with youth and we are excited to have him at the school,” Hoffman added.

Jeremy received a full scholarship to study music with a concentration on voice with at Chowan College in NC. He graduated cum laude in 2002.

Jeremy has been teaching beginner guitar lessons for some time now and enjoys the interactions with students and watching their progress. Jeremy’s motto in teaching is “Did you learn anything and did you have fun,” believing that a student is going to learn what he or she enjoys and is dedicated to learn.

Jeremy has been leading worship teams for over ten years at various churches in the area. He is currently leading worship at Destiny City, a new church plant in Salisbury. He has five years experience in full-time youth ministry, working with teens and young adults.
Jeremy and his wife Jessica live in Salisbury and together enjoy songwriting, performing, and training musicians and leaders for the next generation.

In 2010 Jeremy released his first four-song recording titled, “Feather in the Wind” and an accompanying music video for the title track came out the following year. In early 2011, his band VESS released its first single “Wild Horses,” now available on iTunes. Jeremy continues writing and recording, walking the line between folk and rock with songs that carry a message.

About the Salisbury School of Music:

The Salisbury School of Music offers private and group instruction in vocal and instrumental music for all ages, and classes in a variety of music topics. All classes emphasize music theory along with technique in order to develop the “whole” musician. All instructors are professional musicians and experienced teachers, most with advanced degrees. The music school also encourages student teachers. The studio is located on the second floor of the historic Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main Street, in Salisbury, NC 28144, For more information, visit www.salisburyschoolofmusic.com or contact Marc Hoffman at 704-633-8188.

About Marc Hoffman:

Composer/pianist/vocalist/author Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at the University of Southern California. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives in Salisbury with his wife, Anne, and their daughter August. For more information Marc Hoffman and his work, visit www.marchoffman.com, He is also available on Facebook.

Jazz pianist and vocalist returns to downtown Charlotte venue

May 23, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) – Virillon Music recording artist Marc Hoffman will bring his original jazz to Founders Hall on Friday, May 27, when he performs during the Friday Acoustic Concert Series from noon to 2 p.m.

Hoffman, a composer, pianist and vocalist, has been performing at Founder’s Hall since 2004. Along with original jazz compositions, both instrumental and vocal, his upcoming solo performance will include his own arrangements of standards, ballads and pop tunes.

Gary Dalkin, editor of Film Music on the Web, has described Hoffman’s original music as “somewhere between the contemporary approach of Windham Hill with a nod in the direction of Aaron Copland… Marc Hoffman may just be too talented for his own good. At least for a world that expects artists to do one thing then keep doing it over with minimal variation equating to maximum commercial gain. Hoffman’s gifts range from contemporary classical and film composer to jazz singer-songwriter.”

Hoffman’s upcoming solo show is free and open to the public. Founder’s Hall is located at 100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255, at the Bank of America Corporate Center.

In 2010, Hoffman released his all-original CD “Curioso” to critical acclaim. Previous CDs include “Christmas Time” (2006), a jazz-flavored CD with new tunes and new arrangements of traditional music; “Long Way Home” (2003), a collection of original piano solos; and “Dream of God” (2003), a collection of original and traditional Christian songs. He is currently preparing for the release of a new jazz CD this spring.

About Marc Hoffman: Composer/pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at USC. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shafffer. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives in Salisbury with is wife, Anne, and their daughter August.

NC jazz pianist/vocalist/composer joins “Music in the Vineyards” series

May 15, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) – Virillion Music recording artist Marc Hoffman will perform this Saturday, May 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC as part of the “Music In the Vineyards” series.

Hoffman, a NC native will include original instrumental and vocal jazz in his performance, as well as standards, Broadway and pop.

“I’m really excited to play on the “Music in the Vineyards” series,” Hoffman said. “Richard Childress’ vision has become an institution and destination in the Piedmont and it’s a beautiful venue.”

Marc’s CD, Curioso, a compilation of eclectic original jazz tunes was released last year. His inspirations for various tracks ranged from Neal Hetfi to David Benoit and Jean Luc Ponty. The first airtime Curioso received was on WWOZ in New Orleans. Tracks from the CD have since been played on radio stations in Italy, the UK, and all over the US.

Marc’s muisc is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby.

About Marc Hoffman:

Composer/pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at USC. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England and the Univ. of S. California. Marc performs over 100 dates per year as a soloist and with his trio. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shaffer. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives near Charlotte, NC with is wife, Anne, and their daughter August. For more information about Marc Hoffman visit www.marchoffman.com. Marc’s music is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby.

Providence Country Club hosts Glimmers of Hope 2 – “Havin’ A Ball”

April 21, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Marc Hoffman Quintet, lead by Virillion Music recording artist Marc Hoffman, will be the featured entertainment at the Glimmers of Hope 2 – “Havin’ A Ball” fundraiser to benefit Levine Children’ Hospital. The event will take place on Friday evening, May 13th at 7:00 p.m. at Providence Country Club.

The quintet’s playlist will feature a variety of dance music for all ages.

Marc Hoffman’s various ensembles include duo, trio, and four and five-piece bands. For the Levine event, the quintet will feature noted session players Tim Gordon on sax, Terry Peoples on bass, Rick Murray on drums and Mallory Penland on guitar.

“These guys are among the best musicians in NC and beyond and it is a treat for me to have them for this event”, Hoffman said. “We are all honored to be a part of this fundraiser to support Providence Country Club Glimmers of Hope Endowment,” he added.

Peoples and Gordon performed on Hoffman’s latest original jazz release, Curioso.

The Marc Hoffman Quintet performance will cap-off the evening.

The $75.00 per person event will include cocktails, silent auction, raffle for an Italian vacation for 4, Asian-themed dinner, live auction and The Marc Hoffman Quintet performance. For reservations or more information on this event, please contact Jackie Chambers at Providence Country Club at 704-815-1704.

For more information Marc Hoffman, visit www.marchoffman.com.

About Marc Hoffman:

Composer/pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at USC. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England and the Univ. of S. California. Marc performs over 100 dates per year as a soloist and with his trio and other ensembles. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shaffer. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives near Charlotte, NC with is wife, Anne, and their daughter August.

Marc Hoffman Quintet to Perform

Gary Dalkin calls the book and CD “charming.”

April 7, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) – Sleep, Little Child, author/composer Marc Hoffman’s new children’s book with accompanying CD, has received an enthusiastic review from UK writer and editor, Gary Dalkin.

Sleep, Little Child is based on an original lullaby Hoffman wrote several years ago for his CD, Dream of God. It answers a child’s questions about who will watch over him through the night after his parents are asleep. The author performs the lullaby on the accompanying CD. Other tracks include spoken-word readings and an instrumental version.

Calling the book and CD “charming,” Dalkin writes: “Hoffman’s text is simple, clear and direct, easing a child into sleep and promising that God is watching over him. Sleep, Little Child is just the right length to read to young children at bedtime, and short enough that parents won’t mind reading it over and over, as they are likely to be asked to do.”

Dalkin calls the book’s original watercolor illustrations by artist Tony Waters of Charleston, SC, “beautiful, serene, quietly joyful illustrations. Waters depicts a restful night as a young boy goes to bed, falls asleep and has dream adventures with his toy monkey, then wakes refreshed to a sunny morning.”

He concludes: “the love, attention to detail, and excellent manufacturing quality make Sleep, Little Child well worth the investment.”

Sleep, Little Child is published by Virillion Music and retails for $17.95. It is available at Amazon.com and at independent bookstores. For more information, visit www.sleeplittlechild.com, Facebook (http://on.fb.me/hTvovq), or http://www.garydalkin.com.

About the author:

Composer/pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at USC. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shaffer. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives in Salisbury with is wife, Anne, and their daughter August. For more information on Marc Hoffman and his work, visit www.marchoffman.com. He is also available on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/eA0rUt), Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.me/marchoffman), and Twitter (http://bit.ly/dU3sXP).

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New Choir for Advanced Singers Ages 13 to 19

April 4, 2011 (SALISBURY, NC) – The Salisbury School of Music is auditioning singers for its new teen chamber choir. The new group, under the direction of the school’s Artistic Director, Marc Hoffman will begin rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12th at the school, located in the Meroney Theater in downtown Salisbury.

The Chamber Choir will be limited to 16 members, and will concentrate on new arrangements of concert, Broadway, liturgical and popular music.

“So many of our students, including those who are already accomplished soloists, have never been in a proper choir,” said Hoffman. “Most public schools have middle school choirs for the general student population, and various high school choirs, but the current system of scheduling rarely allows a student to remain in choir throughout their public school years. We are hoping to fill that gap.”

Hoffman studied both choral and orchestral conducting while majoring in composition at Pfeiffer University, the North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Southern California and has conducted his original music for film at a variety of recording studios in LA.

“Our goal is to make the choir a fun experience both in rehearsal and performance while teaching proper ensemble singing techniques and perhaps instilling in the students a desire to sing or conduct professionally,” Hoffman added.

For more information or to schedule an audition at the Salisbury School of Music, contact Marc Hoffman at choir@marchoffman.com or call 704-633-8188.

For more information on all classes offered at the school, visit www.salisburyschoolofmusic.com.

About the Salisbury School of Music:

The Salisbury School of Music offers private and group instruction in vocal and instrumental music for all ages, and classes in a variety of music topics. All classes emphasize music theory along with technique in order to develop the “whole” musician. All instructors are professional musicians and experienced teachers, most with advanced degrees in music. The music school also encourages student teachers and usually places them with beginning students. The studio is located on the second floor of the historic Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main Street, in Salisbury, NC 28144. For more information: www.salisburyschoolofmusic.com.

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March 22, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) – Virillion Music recording artist Marc Hoffman will perform during the American Red Cross fundraiser, “Jazz For Japan” at Tropical Escape in Rock Hill, SC on Sunday, March 27. Hoffman will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Hoffman’s set will include original instrumental and vocal jazz as well as standards. A new original jazz ballad, “Ordinary Song” set for a Monday, March 28 release will be debuted at the fundraiser. Virillion Music will donate 20 percent of sales of the single to “Jazz For Japan.”

“I am very glad to be able to take part in “Jazz For Japan,” Hoffman said. “I’ve played at Tropical Escape many times over the years, but it’s been quite a while. It will be great to be back in Rock Hill, especially for such a worthy cause.”

Jazz musicians from Rock Hill and Charlotte including Lori Spencer, Mike Draper and Jeremy Shaw will also perform during the 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. dinner-fundraiser.

Tropical Escape, an Asian and American restaurant at 564 N. Anderson Road in Rock Hill, will donate 20 percent of gross sales for the entire day to American Red Cross relief efforts for Japan. A buffet lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Community leaders will serve as Celebrity Waiters and Waitresses for dinner.

The Rock Hill jazz community came together in recent years for two other American Red Cross fundraisers. Nearly $4,000 was raised for both Hurricane Katrina victims and Haiti earthquake victims.

Contact Tim Hartis at 803-230-1967 for more information about “Jazz For Japan”.

About Marc Hoffman:

Composer/pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman received his degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts and studied film composition at USC. He also attended The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England and the Univ. of S. California. Marc performs over 100 dates per year as a soloist and with his trio. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shaffer. A member of BMI and the American Composer’s Forum, he is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music. He lives near Charlotte, NC with is wife, Anne, and their daughter August. For more information about Marc Hoffman visit www.marchoffman.com. Marc’s music is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby.

Yesterday I was invited to join Renderyard, a great resource for film makers and composers. Here’s my first entry, the end credits from a fun indie project I scored last year, Day In the Park. ditp.end credits

Midwest Books’ Bookwatch calls the book and CD “entrancing.”

February 16, 2011 (CHARLOTTE, NC) – Sleep, Little Child, author/composer Marc Hoffman’s new children’s book with accompanying CD, has received a glowing review from Midwest Book Review’s senior reviewer Nancy Lorraine on “Bookwatch.”

Sleep, Little Child is based on an original lullaby Hoffman wrote years before he decided to turn it into a picture book. It answers a child’s question about who will watch over him through the night after his parents are asleep. The author performs the lullaby on the accompanying CD. Other tracks include spoken-word readings and an all-instrumental version.

Calling the book and CD “entrancing,” Lorraine writes: “The rhyming lullaby lyrics are gently reassuring to the young child that while he goes to sleep, he is watched and cared for by his heavenly Father, as well as by his earthly father.”

She calls the book’s original watercolor illustrations by artist Tony Waters of Charleston, SC, “both appealing and inviting to prepare to embark for Slumberland. Little comical details of the boy’s favorite stuffed monkey — whose eyes wake and sleep in sync with the boy’s — will be carefully noted and cherished by sleepy toddlers.”

She concludes: “Sleep, Little Child is an ideal bedtime experience to offer to sleepy, squirmy children ages two through seven, to help them settle into sound and healthful slumber.”

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