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“The influence of drumming styles and world music from India to Brazil give John Arrucci’s compositions their color… Many percussionists today may show a hint of world-drumming vocabulary in their writing… but John Arrucci speaks the language. " Christopher Lamb, Principal Percussion, New York Philharmonic |
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Samples of John's compositions:
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“His stylistic palette is tinged with new music, jazz and world music elements blended into what feels like an inevitable and organic entity. Aspects of hocket meet lush jazz chords meet provocative , ritual driven percussion. His is an amalgam of all that he has seen and become.” Gordon Gottlieb (percussion faculty--Juilliard School, regular guest--NY Philharmonic, NY studios, Steely Dan, lifetime participant--Império Serrano--escola de samba-Rio de Janeiro)
”His compositions are fascinating, each possessing a rich, sumptuous quality borne of diverse influences, finely honed skill and consummate taste”. Paul Smadbeck, Composer, Marimba artist, Clinician
“As a music composition doctoral fellow, I had the opportunity to study with him…which I consider among the most rewarding of my experiences at Princeton…I give him my highest recommendation” Matthew A. Wuolle, Composer/PHD candidate, Princeton University |
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John’s initial exploration into world music traditions, while studying at the Eastman School of Music (1976-80), only served to fuel his fire. He would often seek out recordings from around the world including music from India, Nigeria, Bali and Cuba. These experiences broadened his concept of music and filled him with the desire to study other traditions. So much so, that he was inspired to live and study in India and Brazil (1981-84).
In 1986, John was invited to join the music faculty of Princeton University as a guest lecturer in the composition department and as percussion instructor. He remains there and has enjoyed his role as teacher to Doctoral students in composition as well as undergraduate students.
In 1990, John returned to Brazil to teach a three-week course on Percussion. He was greeted with newspaper articles in A Tarde and Jornal da Bahia heralding his return to Brazil and citing him as a musician who had “influenced the explosion of Bahian music” during his stay in 1983-84.
In May of 1994, seven of John’s new compositions; Metaphors, Miro’, Before Sleeping, Stars, Menachem, Southwest and Ballad #1 were presented by his ensemble at the Taplin Auditorium at Princeton University.
In
2002 he was asked to contribute a recording of his composition “Rose and
Spring” to
In November of 2002, the Wichita State University Percussion Ensemble premiered his composition “Birth at the Convergence”. John traveled to Wichita, Kansas for the premiere and presented three Master Classes at the University. Both the composition and master classes were very well received.
John has been busy writing new music and rehearsing his new ensemble. He continues to be inspired in his composition by the visual and spiritual imprint of his experience in India. Impacted by the function of music in Brazilian society and in particular, religious and social events, John became acutely aware of the power of musical expression and has pursued a musical aesthetic that is uplifting and worthy of ritual. |
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© 2005 John Arrucci |
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In
April of 1988, John was commissioned by the Manhattan Marimba Quartet to
arrange 12 compositions by Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal. Two of
these were performed with John’s participation at a Villa Lobos
celebration at Merkin Concert Hall in New York and broadcast live on WNYC
radio’s “New Sounds” program. Subsequently, all of his arrangements were
performed with John playing drums and percussion in 1988 at a series of
concerts at “La Mama” performance space in New York City. Also in 1988,
John was commissioned by Christopher Lamb, Principal Percussionist with
the New York Philharmonic to write two works for Marimba and Piano. The
compositions were given their world premiere at the opening of the
Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway in 1989 and have had numerous
performances since.
In
December of 1997, “Metaphors” won second place in the Jazz category of
the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, an international competition with
over thirty thousand entries. This was very gratifying since three of his
other compositions had made it into the top fifty finalists. In 1999,
John received a Decentralization grant to present his music in Putnam
County. In September of that year, he premiered new works for 5
1/2-octave Marimba, Classical Guitar and Flute at two concerts. Following
these concerts he was commissioned by Poet Dick Altman to write a new work
for the same trio. This composition in three movements was entitled “In
Oaxaca” and was inspired by the yearly “Day of the Dead” celebration of
Oaxaca, Mexico as well as by Dick Altman’s poetry. 
be included on a double CD collection entitled “We stand as One World”.
The CD was released in 2002 to raise funds for the victims of the World
Trade Center attack. The Mannes College of Music Percussion Ensemble
premiered his composition “String Theory” for percussion quartet, on April
30, 2002.