First Ray of Sunlight

Photo © 1997, J. Plattes
Music 1997, J. Plattes
all selections ASCAP

Music samples in MP3 formats.

An all instrumental release featuring 16 original compositions, 60 minutes long. Violinist and multi-instrumentalist, James Plattes' music reflects the diversity of the American experience, exposing a raw romanticism with an uplifting emotional impact.

What the critics are saying about Mr. Plattes' new CD:
James Plattes resume is about a mile long. His new disc spans the globe for sound, featuring guest appearances by Marcus Wise (tabla), Marc Anderson (percussion) and Steve Tibbetts (guitar). But the main attraction is Plattes' fine playing on violin, bouzouki, mandolin and electric violin.
Jim Meyer, City Pages.

A worldly-wise all instrumental effort. It's a fine adventurous release with guest cameos by ECM Records heavyweights Steve Tibbetts and Marc Anderson. James Walsh, Twin Cities Reader.

Awards: winner, West Bank School of Music Jazz Composer Series. Amazonian Dreamscapes was chosen by Intermedia Arts (Minneapolis, MN) to headline their Sound Images composer showcase competition. Minnesota Music Academy award.

Affiliations: American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) Twin Cities Musicians Union AFM 30-73.

* Amazonian Dreamscapes is a surreal, musical depiction of a night in Amazonia. A lonely thumb piano motif starts out against a wind-blown, shrill cry. The stormy environment is a reflection of the crisis facing our "last Eden". In the midst of myriad birds and thunderclaps, angry spirits can be heard howling thru the jungle. A car can be heard careening out of control down the new superhighway. A rich technocrat shouts "get off the road" to a bewildered native inhabitant. Amidst a chorus of native drummers, a helicopter swoops in low above the treetops, and just as suddenly disappears into the next valley. The piece ends the same way it started, with a lonely native playing her kalimba (thumb piano) while disappearing into the mist-shrouded forest.

Violinist James Plattes is available for concerts, school residencies,
clinics and private parties. Solo or with group.