TOP TEN INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN - SUMMER 2004

After writing music on the piano for nearly 20 years, Jeff Van Devender of JavaMusiK finally decided to enter a studio in early 1998 and lay down some piano tracks. The final result turned out to be his debut release titled 'Ascend.' Ascend features 10 solo piano tracks highlighted by 'Awakening' - his first ever composition - and an often requested arrangement of 'Simple Gifts - A Shaker Song.' 'Simple Gifts' was the only piece on 'Ascend' which was not an original Van Devender composition. 'Ascend' also features 2 songs which are tributes to his twin daughters - 'With Grace' and 'Like A Rose.'

Four years and many concerts and showcases later, Van Devender pulled together 10 more pieces to record for his follow-up CD titled 'Bending Chords.' This time however, a broadening of styles and instrumentation entered the mix. This expanded effort led to a more diverse audience being exposed to Van Devender's music. 'Bending Chords' many highlights include 'Storm King Sacrifice' - a tribute to 14 firefighters killed in a firestorm on the side of a mountain. Van Devender was a witness to this tragedy in 1994 and wrote the song four years later at the base of the charred Storm King Mountain. Another standout for 'Bending Chords' has been a piece titled 'Synyrgyze!' billed as the first uptempo release for JavaMusiK.

He has garnered 5 top 5 singles on the SoundClick charts and numerous #1 listings on the FuNEnD3R charts over the last year.

Most recently, Van Devender's musical career has found him 'boning up his chops,' playing at 2 churches and a world class 5 star hotel in Aspen, Colorado every week. This demanding schedule, on top of his full-time teaching career, has helped to not only beef up his technical playing ability, but also his repetoire, which has since increased tenfold.

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