THE ELEMENTS . . .

Expanding our awareness of ourselves and our lives is an organic process which happens naturally as we learn to relax from within. Musically, the slow tempos and softly textured ambiences I create, will through meditation begin the process of expanding our intuitive awareness and give us a greater sense of our vitality and well-being.

In my meditations I have visited many metaphysical realms which have inspired the harmonies and melodies I have used in the recreation of these reflective spaces. Behind this, the sounds of nature form the basis of much of my music concluding the wholeness of physical and non-physical.

I produce my music through the medium of music synthesizer technology which gives me access to unlimited possibilities in sound and music creation.

Being able to perform my music live has been an important part of my musical life. Through live performances I have met and spoken with many wonderful people. I have performed at many different types of venues to wide and varied audiences. I am always touched by the warm responses and the appreciation shown for what I do - thank you all.

In my life I have enjoyed listening to many different styles of music ranging from the old to the new, from Indigenous to modern interpretation, music has always resonated within me and around me.

Music and I go back a long way - inseparable.

THE SHADE . . .

Living in a fast moving world can be stressful. Without a "relaxed perspective" our human survival becomes dependent on our physical achievements. We place many expectations on ourselves, others, and on the world around us. Time becomes all important as we struggle to achieve a status that will give us the acknowledgement and acceptance of our peers. For many this treadmill life-style consumes every living moment, the side-effects having a detrimental effect on our health, our families, communities and the natural environment in which we live.

THE LIGHT . . .

Developing a relaxed perspective, or a sense of our own inner peace, begins with how we feel about ourselves. As we enjoy and value more the person we are, we reduce the need for validation and acknowledgement from others. Ironically as we love ourselves more and more, others notice and are more forthcoming in praise and recognition. We become less desperate in our quest for fulfilment as we realise in our self-love, we ARE fulfilled. The energy we once used in our life struggle is now available for the enhancement of our vitality and wellbeing, and as we move forward, can reflect positively on our relationships and the world around us.

THROUGH MEDITATION . . .

Finding our self-love can happen through developing a sense of our own "Inner Peace". Feeling peaceful within, transforms the way we view ourselves and the world around us. It is our Inner Peace that creates a relaxed perspective on life. It has long been known that practising meditation on a regular basis facilitates the feelings of "inner Peace"

So, Meditation is YOUR time for YOU. It is your time to discover yourself in a new way. It is your infinite journey into the depths of who you are and what makes you YOU.

THE MUSIC . . .

In the melodies there is language. It is your message and your guide. It will be as you require, it will take you where you need to go. The gentle and flowing harmonies like a river, are your reflections and your sacred pathways.

Melody is colour and emotion. I see my music as a painting in continuum, a transforming soundscape of emotive energy in vibration. An assurance of peace . . . trust . . . clarity . . . freedom . . . openness . . . happiness . . . and love.

Behind the melodies is the setting of the music. The setting or ambience is a significant aspect of the music in that it provides the atmosphere in which the melody languages the feelings. The ambience also provides and accentuates the element of space between the notes and around the music itself. It is the space that relaxes the listener and allows surrender of the waking consciousness. Like the colour aspect in melody, ambience also has a very visual quality. Where melody is made up of a collection of notes in sequence, ambience is shaped by a collection of notes in unison, providing a specific feeling through the combined sound colour . . . thus creating the visual setting for the music.

The presence of nature sounds are an integral part of my music. I am deeply inspired by nature and this influence plays a major role in my musical creations. The sounds of gentle streams and birds naturally compliment the spaces in my music and in many cases provide the canvas on which I paint the sound. The sounds of nature also provide enhancement to the visual ambience of the music and add to the calm and peacefulness. For people living in densely populated cities, the natural sounds in nature are a welcome sanctuary to the sometimes unsettling noise of the modern age. Along with the music the sounds of nature can also inspire an awareness of our genetic origins. The Human Race is a part of nature's expression. I believe we are inextricably linked to everything around us and in this way the sounds of nature can remind us of ourselves.

Using music synthesizer technology provides an unlimited range of sound capability and arrangement possibilities. For a composer there is the added bonus of being able to take a composition from beginning to the final performance and recording stage. I see my music as continually developing in an organic way. I am always inspired to try new ways of doing things and music synthesizer technology allows the luxury of this exploration.

WRITING IN THE STUDIO . . .

My studio is at my home here in Auckland New Zealand. My instrument line-up includes various synthesizers which feature FM Sound Generation, Wave Samples and Virtual Modelling Technology. Generally I use a piano keyboard to transfer my intuitive ideas and channellings into sound recordings.

Writing begins by meditating and allowing ideas to come forward. I am very relaxed and in a semiconscious state. As the inspiration flows, I allow my hands to catch and play the ideas while the instrument records what I am doing. After completing as much as required I will return to a deeper meditative state for 10 - 15 minutes to finish. Later I will come back to what I have created and begin the process of arrangement. I choose the sounds, textures and general production of the finished composition. Each part is a separate performance and I am quite meticulous when it comes to what I end up being satisfied with.

The innovation of the "breath control" function in the music synthesizer has become an essential aspect of my performance. It is a fantastic way of adding a natural "human feel" to the scientific dynamic of the synthesizer. For solos I use a customised MIDI Wind-Control Keyboard. Using this controller allows full body expression and a more emotive performance. This instrument controller has become quite a feature of my music. I have called it "The Breathasizer" .

THE BREATHASIZER . . .

The "Breathasizer" is a keyboard "Wind" instrument which is played like a guitar and responds dynamically to touch and breath. Using the Breathasizer in conjunction with physical modelling technology enables the production and control of the complex vibrations, resonances, reflections and other acoustic phenomena that occur in classical instruments. The Breathasizer is a monophonic instrument and plays only one note at a time.

Playing the Breathasizer involves three distinct points of control, relating to the mouth and the left and right hands. The subtle control of complex sound parameters in real-time such as timbre and loud/softness can be controlled by the breath using the breath mouthpiece. Pitch, Vibrato and a range of other effects are produced by the right hand using the On/Off velocity and after-touch features of the keyboard. Subtle pitch variation, portamento and a variety of modulation effects are controlled by the left hand using a ribbon controller and modulation wheels.

The Breathasizer is an exciting instrument to play. With time and much practice I have continued to improve my technique with the three separate aspects of control becoming one in a complete performance. It's rather like "singing" through an instrument ... and I might mention, I love to sing as well.

REFLECTIONS . . .

I feel exceedingly fortunate that I have had the opportunity to express my music in the way that I have wanted. I am so grateful for the gift of music and what it has brought to my life. You can read about this in Jeffree - a life in music.

Looking back, the events of my journey have revealed to me how synchronistic life is. I can see how the quality of my thoughts and beliefs have created everything around me, as reflections of who I am, at that moment. My journey has truly been an exploration of the world within with meditation my vehicle.

The inner world can be a beautiful place. The inner world creates the outer world. There is such a wonder within our consciousness. A power to behold.

I am blessed to have a deep connection with nature. When I am there, communication with my inner teacher is profound.

If you are reading this, know that together we are magically creating our lives in synchronicity. We are individual at the surface . . . we are collective below.

We are deeply ONE.