The new SKETCHES OF INFLUENCE album The Heights

Hello,

For those who may not be familiar my name is Joe Barna. I’m a drummer/composer from Troy, NY who’s spent the better part of the past 20 years nurturing and helping to grow the performing arts scene in upstate NY. For those who I’ve planted roots and built relationships with already, welcome back.

This fundraiser is for a new recording I’m putting together in April of 2023. The title of the recording is The Heights. It refers to the city where my partner Deana Clapp and I met, Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York. Since that time we’ve grown as individuals and have given life to our only child, daughter Savina Jewel Barna.

It has become tradition for me to dedicate my recordings to important individuals who have had an impact on my life. Some of those great people include my mother Pamela Rose, mentor Lee Shah, friend Scott Bassinson and others. This recording is very close to my heart as it will be in tribute to Deana and Savina. These 2 ladies have made quite the impact on me and the time has arrived to document the beauty they have brought into my life.

For this project I’ve chosen musicians with whom I’m very familiar and also have built strong friendships with over the years.

Stacy Dillard - tenor & soprano sax

Davis Whitfield - piano

Tarik Shah - bass

myself - drums, cymbals & compositions

As I have for my past 4 recordings I’m choosing to do this live and in performance. From my perspective this is the only honest way to truly get across the passion, intention and sheer elegance of jazz as it was intended. No overdubbing, fixing notes or extensive takes of the repertoire.

The location I’ve chosen is Alias Coffee Roasters. It’s slowly becoming the place to be for live jazz in upstate NY. Also, as a current resident of the city, who was born and raised in Troy, it’s a homecoming of sorts. It also happens to be where I was first introduced to jazz by band director and friend Kevin Champagne while attending Lansingburgh High School.

The Heights will feature 6 original songs. Each has its own distinctive vibe, from hard driving swing to a soft ballad and the timeless lilt of the waltz. At least 2 are directly dedicated to Deana and Savina. The others represent some close friends and those who have helped me along the way.

I sincerely hope you will consider a generous donation towards this effort. It is extremely expensive to produce new music at a high level and with integrity. With your help we promise to follow through on making a live recording both you and we can look back on and be proud to have given our all.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider helping us bring these sketches to life.