Staff report

Virillion Music has announced the release of a new single, “Little Drummer Boy” by Salisbury composer and recording artist Marc Hoffman.

The single features Hoffman’s new jazz-influenced arrangement of the Christmas classic.

“The ‘Little Drummer Boy’ has been a favorite of mine for many years and I am delighted to share a new arrangement of this holiday favorite,” Hoffman said in a press release.

“There’s something so beautiful in the simplicity of the song, and I have tried to stay true to the original arrangement while adding my own, modern touch.”

The track, featuring vocal, piano and percussion, also features bassist Nelson Rios as a guest artist.

“Nelson’s incredibly tasteful bass track was a big part of this recording and I can’t thank him enough for playing,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman is the founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music.

His original jazz and concert works have been performed live and on radio across the United States and in the United Kingdom, France, Canada and The Netherlands.

His latest CD, “Late September,” along with previous albums can be you heard on all streaming sites such as Spotify, CD Baby, and iTunes.

Also an author, Hoffman has written “Essential Worship Keyboard,” published by Emerald Books, and a picture book, “Sleep, Little Child” by Virillion Music Publishing.

Hoffman earned a degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and completed additional study in film composition at the University of Southern California.

He also studied at The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England.

After establishing himself as a composer and performer of classical, choral, film, theater, and pop music, Hoffman began pursuing his passion for jazz in the early 1990s.

As a pianist and vocalist, he performs more than 100 dates a year with a repertoire of original jazz and his own arrangements of standards and ballads. He most often performs with his trio, but works as a soloist and with other ensembles as well at concerts, festivals, clubs and other events.