Groove
Theory

In the third Karate Kid movie, the main antagonist promotes a training system called "Quick Silver." It has three maxims:

• I. A man can't stand, he can't fight.
• II. A man can't breathe, he can't fight.
• III. A man can't see, he can't fight.

These statements are the compositional basis for this piece. Each phrase is linked to specific musical components that act as motifs. The first phrase is associated with highly rhythmic runs and harsh attacks. Breathy multiphonics and growls are linked to the second phrase, while the third is represented by extended tremolos and quarter tones.

Like many of my pieces, this is inspired by older musical traditions. Chaconnes date back as early as the late 16th century and were made popular in the time of Bach. They are characterized by a repeated bass line over which variations flow seamlessly from one to the next.

This piece uses a delay pedal for the performer to create their own repeating bass line. The piece gradually creates new variations of itself as the delay ebbs and flows.

Inspired by the song "Square Wheel" by legendary drummer Nate Smith, this piece reimagines classical sonata form as a drum solo for piano. I am a drummer and pianist, as well as an avid student of Beethoven sonatas, and this piece brings all that together.

The main characteristic of this groove is its alternation of even and odd time signatures. Nate Smith is a master at taking something complicated and making it feel effortless, and this piece chases that same feel.

Julie's Suite reimagines and modernizes a Bach cello suite. Baroque suites were pop music, and each movement was a different dance style of the time. Instead of trying to adapt particular dances of today, I chose popular drum grooves that still make people dance.

The prelude sets the stage for the melodic and harmonic world of the dances. Each movement is named after the popular Baroque dances that these grooves most closely align with in character.

The gigue is modeled after the Purdie Shuffle (made famous by legendary drummer Bernard Purdie, most notably with Steely Dan, as well as fellow legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro with "Rosanna" by Toto).

The Sarabande is adapted from the work of legendary James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield. The "Funky Drummer" drum break is the most sampled groove in all of music history, from "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy to "Shirtsleeves" by Ed Sheeran and everywhere in between (even the Powerpuff Girls theme song samples it). Traditionally a sarabande is a slow dance. However, this groove is incredibly fast, so you could say this is my abstract sampling of this iconic groove.

Finally, the bourrée is inspired by legendary guitarist Bo Diddley. His groove has been used extensively in the rock 'n' roll and blues genres. A famous example is his song "Who Do You Love" popularized by George Thorogood and the Destroyers.