Feature Story
Brent Lindquist
10/29/07
Jarvis feature profile
To say that Dave Jarvis knows music would be an understatement.
An associate professor of music at Washington State University, Jarvis has directed, played in and written for numerous bands, composed published music and taught at WSU for 20 years.
He was born in Detroit and lived there for 19 years. He found a great deal of inspiration in the city’s Motown scene.
Jarvis began taking private piano lessons at age 10. He taught himself how to play percussion using a drum set brought home by his brother and the music-reading skills he gained from the piano.
He continued to teach himself to play by listening to music and gaining inspiration from it. He looked at music books and asked his brother for technical help when needed.
Jarvis’ primary percussion inspirations of the time were Buddy Rich, Mitch Mitchell and Ringo Starr.
“Listening to a lot of recordings and listening to a lot of music taught me also to have a great ear for music,” Jarvis said.
He would set his stereo up next to the drum set and play along with the music to gain a feel for the instruments. He played jazz in high school and found more inspiration from Jimi Hendrix.
Jarvis continued piano lessons for 10 years and began private percussion lessons in college. He began college in Detroit and eventually earned a bachelor of science in music education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
He first came to WSU in 1977 to earn his master’s degree before returning in 1987 to begin a career as a teacher.
Jarvis has taught many different courses at WSU including history of rock ‘n roll, history of jazz and many other music education courses.
“One of my colleagues once said that he feels that I probably could direct or teach just about anything in the department,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis currently plays percussion with the Dozier-Jarvis-Young Quartet. He said that although the front man changes from time to time, the Dozier-Jarvis core of the group has played together collectively for about 24 years.
Horace Alexander Young is also an associate professor of music at WSU. He plays the saxophone and flute with the Dozier-Jarvis-Young Quartet and also sings on a select number of tunes each set.
Young and Jarvis have known each other personally since 1995. Young said they met at the airport and Jarvis asked if he would like to play with the Dozier-Jarvis Trio.
“Dave is a very dynamic drummer which is the heartbeat of the band,” Young said. “That accounts for every type of musical situation in which he plays. He is a real sparkplug regardless of the style.”
Jarvis and Young play together in the Dozier-Jarvis-Young quartet frequently at Rico’s in Pullman. Young said Jarvis is one of the best percussionists he has ever played with.
“He not only plays drum set exceptionally well but his tympani and mallet playing skills are on par with any orchestral professional you will find anywhere.”
Young and Jarvis worked a semester apart as graduate teacher’s aides in the music department in the early 1980’s. Young sees Jarvis as a very dedicated teacher.
“Dave is as passionate of an educator as he is a performer,” Young said. “It is his love for music and life that he brings into his classroom. Any student of his walks away with more than just what is written in the textbook.”
Jarvis is also a composer with five published works including a marimba solo, percussion ensemble pieces and chamber percussion pieces. He will take his latest work to C. Allan Publications in Columbus, Ohio, this week with hopes of having it published as well.
10/29/07
Jarvis feature profile
To say that Dave Jarvis knows music would be an understatement.
An associate professor of music at Washington State University, Jarvis has directed, played in and written for numerous bands, composed published music and taught at WSU for 20 years.
He was born in Detroit and lived there for 19 years. He found a great deal of inspiration in the city’s Motown scene.
Jarvis began taking private piano lessons at age 10. He taught himself how to play percussion using a drum set brought home by his brother and the music-reading skills he gained from the piano.
He continued to teach himself to play by listening to music and gaining inspiration from it. He looked at music books and asked his brother for technical help when needed.
Jarvis’ primary percussion inspirations of the time were Buddy Rich, Mitch Mitchell and Ringo Starr.
“Listening to a lot of recordings and listening to a lot of music taught me also to have a great ear for music,” Jarvis said.
He would set his stereo up next to the drum set and play along with the music to gain a feel for the instruments. He played jazz in high school and found more inspiration from Jimi Hendrix.
Jarvis continued piano lessons for 10 years and began private percussion lessons in college. He began college in Detroit and eventually earned a bachelor of science in music education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
He first came to WSU in 1977 to earn his master’s degree before returning in 1987 to begin a career as a teacher.
Jarvis has taught many different courses at WSU including history of rock ‘n roll, history of jazz and many other music education courses.
“One of my colleagues once said that he feels that I probably could direct or teach just about anything in the department,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis currently plays percussion with the Dozier-Jarvis-Young Quartet. He said that although the front man changes from time to time, the Dozier-Jarvis core of the group has played together collectively for about 24 years.
Horace Alexander Young is also an associate professor of music at WSU. He plays the saxophone and flute with the Dozier-Jarvis-Young Quartet and also sings on a select number of tunes each set.
Young and Jarvis have known each other personally since 1995. Young said they met at the airport and Jarvis asked if he would like to play with the Dozier-Jarvis Trio.
“Dave is a very dynamic drummer which is the heartbeat of the band,” Young said. “That accounts for every type of musical situation in which he plays. He is a real sparkplug regardless of the style.”
Jarvis and Young play together in the Dozier-Jarvis-Young quartet frequently at Rico’s in Pullman. Young said Jarvis is one of the best percussionists he has ever played with.
“He not only plays drum set exceptionally well but his tympani and mallet playing skills are on par with any orchestral professional you will find anywhere.”
Young and Jarvis worked a semester apart as graduate teacher’s aides in the music department in the early 1980’s. Young sees Jarvis as a very dedicated teacher.
“Dave is as passionate of an educator as he is a performer,” Young said. “It is his love for music and life that he brings into his classroom. Any student of his walks away with more than just what is written in the textbook.”
Jarvis is also a composer with five published works including a marimba solo, percussion ensemble pieces and chamber percussion pieces. He will take his latest work to C. Allan Publications in Columbus, Ohio, this week with hopes of having it published as well.
posted by Brent Lindquist at 6:44 PM
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