April 26, 2026 – Murphy Recital Hall, Loyola Marymount University
Here’s something I’ve never seen before: a percussion recital. I have at least been to enough shows to know that “percussion” doesn’t necessarily mean just drums. I was expecting a marimba or vibes and got both.
LMU is very near my home so this was an easy drive over and parking is free on weekends. Someone was handing out earplugs on the way in, which my husband used. I, of course, had my trusty Loops with me so I used those instead.
The first piece, A Minute of News by Eugene Novotney was played on a snare drum with a variety of sticks and is probably what you’d think of when you hear the words “percussion recital.” Next up was Two Mexican Dances for Marimba by Gordon Stout. They were lovely little pieces. I couldn’t help but think of Son Rompe Pera with their antique marimba that they haul from city to city when they go on tour, although these pieces were very different. Next we heard Unfinished Life, which was composed by Mark Saya to honor the life of his brother and was played on vibes. Following intermission and a costume change, we heard Suite for Timpani by Raynor Carrol (played as you would expect on timpanis), Glamour by Casey Cangelosi (played on what I have been referring to as “a tray of stuff” with a metronome) and Divertimento for Marimba and Alto Saxophone by Akira Yuyama (accompanied by Maximillius Simpson).
Tommy’s playing was exceptional and it was a really nice program of diverse pieces which managed to hold my interest and attention.