How does one become a marimbist? For me it was the result of three events. First, I was very fortunate to be recognized for possessing an aptitude for this instrument early on. Next was a positive experience with an honor’s band in middle school, and finally this: A typically drummer magazine featured a man playing the works of Bach on marimba. I remember thinking to myself, “that’s me, I now know who I am” It seems appropriate Bach’s Preludio became the title track on my first recording as a soloist. As a second track, the second movement of Dvořák’s ninth symphony felt like a good choice. Most people will recognize this melody as a song called “Going Home”. Clair Omar Musser arranged Going Home for his marimba orchestra and so his C Major etude follows it nicely on the album. Since its composition by Gordon Stout, Two Mexican Dances for Marimba has been a test of a percussionist’s technical facility, particularly the left hand ostinato. I performed many takes of this piece to get it just right, but despite my following efforts I kept the first take because of its energy even though I missed a “C” at the end. In keeping with the Latin American theme I proceeded the Stout piece with a newer composition by Alvina Tan entitled Dansons? Michi is the second work for marimba that I learned. It and many other works by Keiko Abe are featured on one of my favorite marimba albums. This piece has always felt very natural to me and will always be in my repertoire. With a sudden leap to the upper register Rhythm Song drastically changes the mood of the recording to something more ethereal. Paul Smadbeck creates in this composition a “Six Pianos” effect with its constantly changing pulsating melodic fragments. I feel so fortunate to be born in a time in which the marimba has evolved so much as a serious concert instrument. So much has been written for the instrument in recent decades. Case in point, when I was in college, the Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra by Ney Rosauro was only available in manuscript, and it was one of four concerti that I knew of. Now there are many, and thanks to the Musical Instruments Digital Interface, I can present this work accompanied only by my laptop. I hope these notes provide some insight and increase the listening pleasure of this album. Thank You, Gabriel