Young composer J.J. Myre speaking from his recording studio, Safyr Records, in Reston
Perhaps your habit includes the peaceful serenity of a walk through nature on one of our park trails. Local composer, recording artist, and producer, J.J. Myre, from the Town of Vienna, has begun a series of albums that will bring that nature walk and peaceful calm to you.
His first album, “Here But Elsewhere,” features his instrumental piano compositions overlaid with the calls of birds and other sounds of nature. He was inspired by his walks in Oakton’s Nottoway Park. The nature sounds were recorded there. His first album, with twelve songs that take one through a day, includes titles: “7 A.M.,” “Eden,” “Exhale,” and “Nodding.” Those listening will be tempted to check outside the window for the presence
Piano instrumentals overlaid with bird calls suggest the beauty of nature, like these Spanish Bluebells
Myre began playing the piano at the age of three, and music grew in his life to become a passion. For a while he pursued a PhD in music at University of Louisiana before leaving to concentrate on making music. He found some financial success in the jazz genre creating over 1,400 songs. He draws royalties from that work, along with a pop music piece sold to Apple TV which became background music in episode one of their video streaming series, “K-Pop Idols”.
He is committed now to solo piano instrumentals, saying, “I appreciate the simplicity of solo instrumentals. Being without the many instruments and vocals, allows visitors to ascribe their own meanings.”
Nicole Kovar, a well known northern Virginia music educator, who is the artist founder and executive director of Piano & More, said of Myre’s album, "These songs are simple but so soothing. They have a soft piano with just a touch of echo and birdsong woven in. It’s the kind of song that makes you pause and breathe. Feels like stillness in music form. Perfect for journaling, yoga, or just zoning out after a long day."
Find “Here But Elsewhere” on your favorite streaming platform; see https://ffm.to/x1xmj0p.
See Arlington Connection’s profile of Nicole Kovar at “Play It Forward Reaches Out to Change Lives, May 7-20, pg. 12.
https://www.arlingtonconnection.com/news/2025/may/07/play-it-forward-reaches-out-to-change-lives/