Thursday, May 17, 2012"Dreams of the Forest" by Marc Enfroy. CD Pre-Order Offer.

Monday, April 23, 2012Piano As Art

Piano As Art, a three-way collaborative art exhibition between 2 Connecticut-based artists (Penny Putnam and Shauna Holiman) and Faust Harrison Pianos, the leading restorer of high-end pianos in the nation, will open at the Faust Harrison Pianos showroom and Gallery, 207 West 58th Street, Manhattan, on March 10th. The show will have traveled to New York City after runs at the Flinn Gallery in Greenwich, Ct and Faust Harrison Pianos in White Plains, NY.

The art is inspired by piano parts and in many cases composed of the parts themselves (antique ivories, hammers, oddly shaped inner mechanicals and bits of casework). It is, except for the earliest pieces, totally collaborative: the artists conceived of and executed each one together, combined their artistry with other skills honed earlier in life (graphic design, music and business) to create a distinctive and surprising vision of collaboration and abandoning any notion of individual authorship. The artists’ relationship with Faust Harrison represents a new and entirely positive model for collaboration and community building between artists and business.

This is a new venture for Faust Harrison, which is in a period of major expansion, having recently opened a major new showroom and factory in White Plains and a smaller showroom on Long Island. Sara Faust, President of Faust Harrison Pianos said, "This is a spectacular exhibition. Piano As Art is truly transformative post-modern art. Without a trace of cynicism, it is alternately beautiful, thought provoking, rhythmic and musical, often moving and, in several cases, quite playful and funny. Even after 30 years in the piano business, this art has changed forever the way my staff and I view the piano."

Several pieces are made out of reclaimed ivory from old piano keys. (One piece, Elegy, contains 1,640 pieces.) Considering the material’s origins and the music made upon it by countless pianists most of whom are now long dead, it is both poignant and priceless and is now living a third life as art.

To read all about it, follow this link to a review in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/nyregion/piano-as-art-exhibition-in-white-plains-review.html

And to see the artists at work, follow this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbcs7qR74As

Opening reception: May 10, 2012, 6-8 PM.
Show runs until October 27, 2012.

Faust Harrison Pianos
207 West 58th Street, Ground Floor (between 7th Ave and B’way)
New York, New York 10019
212-489-3600
www.faustharrisonpianos.com
www.pianoasart.com

Monday, March 26, 2012Kathy Parsons review for the album "October," by Donovan Johnson

October
Donovan Johnson
2011 / Boxhouse Music Co.
58.9 minutes

October is pianist/composer Donovan Johnson’s fourth release, but is a first for me. I love finding artists who have something a little different to say through the medium of music, and Donovan is just such an artist. Often more energetic than many recordings that fall into the new age/contemporary piano genre, I like the way Donovan has alternated the faster tracks with those that are quieter and more peaceful. Some of the pieces are solo piano and some are more orchestrated with percussion and strong rhythms backing the piano. The eleven tracks include the three-part “Islands of October Suite,” which effectively combines pop, classical, and new age elements. In addition to composing, teaching, and performing, Donovan Johnson owns and operates EnlightenedPiano.com, an internet radio station that features an international roster of new age pianists. He has been playing the piano since the age of two, and started formal lessons shortly after that, continuing into college where studied performance and composition.

October begins with “Summerland,” a joyful and energetic piece that swirls and dances to a lively beat - an enticing opening piece! “Forward In Time” starts out mysteriously with a single repeated note setting the tempo. This theme weaves in and out of the 6 1/2 minute piece, alternating with a contrasting second theme that features a smooth and graceful piano with strings. I really like this one! “Andromeda” picks up the tempo again with a driving percussion track behind the effervescent piano. The title track is more on the wistful, dreamy side with light percussion and atmospheric synth sounds behind the piano. “Forgiveness” is another favorite - a slow, graceful piano solo that comes from the heart. “Resilience” is a beautiful ballad, this time accompanied by flute and strings. The more classical “Islands of October Suite” begins with “The Island of Japan,” a dramatic piano solo with themes that range from very dark and spare to a lively and sparkling flow. The second movement is “Castaway Island,” again a piano solo. Donovan demonstrates some very impressive playing chops in this one! “Isle Du Massacre” sounds pretty grim, but the piece is anything but. In the first theme, the left hand plays a driving rhythm while the right dances all over the piano. The second theme is slower and less structured, and then the first theme returns, taking the album to a joyful and breathless ending.

October is a great find if you like spirited pieces mixed in with the more contemplative music (I do!). It is available from www.donovanjohnson.net, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Recommended!

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com

3/7/12

Tuesday, March 6, 2012Donovan Johnson's 5th Annual "Welcome Spring" Concert

Donovan Johnson kicks off the 2012 concert season with his annual "Welcome Spring" concert. This year, the concert will feature Donovan on the piano; Lyle Yates, bass; John Rosseter, drums; and Joy Trimmel on the cello. As usual, the concert will feature originals by Donovan including material from his four previous recordings and several new additions from his upcoming album, which is scheduled for release in Sep. of 2012.

Donovan's music is a combination of many influences, mainly folk music, classical piano and Celtic music. Of all of the concerts in Donovan's concert series, "Welcome Spring" is his personal favorite due to its celebratory nature and uplifting undertones. "Spring is my favorite season," says Donovan, "and this concert reflects that."

The concert will be held on Saturday April 7th at 7pm, at First Unitarian Church Of Omaha (3114 Harney St.) If you're into fresh, inspirational, contemporary "piano driven" music, you won't want to miss this show. It's great fun for all ages and the cost is free to the public. There will be a freewill offering only.

Thursday, February 23, 2012Review of Reflections by Kathy Parsons

Reflections
John Paris
2011 / John Paris
60’20”

Reflections is the second album of original piano solos by John Paris, an artist whose career as a professional musician has spanned more than four decades. Trained in both classical and jazz piano, Paris was a member of the house band at Harrah’s Casino in Reno and played alongside many of the casino’s headliners. Calling his original music “New Age Jazz Fusion,” the fourteen pieces on Reflections are varied in mood and expression, taking the listener on a bit of a spiritual journey. The music was written to be “uplifting, healing, relaxing, and rejuvenating,” and Paris adds, “These pieces came to me spontaneously in a flash of inspiration. I simply open my heart to the Divine Sound Current and let my fingers express what comes through. The music combines New Age melodic sensibility with Jazz harmonies and rhythms to create a new sound.” Despite its complexities, the music is effortless and very easy to listen to both actively and in the background. Mastered at Piano Haven Studio near Seattle, WA, Joe Bongiorno’s engineering genius makes every note clear, clean, and warm.

Reflections begins with the title track, a beautifully pensive piece that creates a peaceful mood. The graceful, effortless melody can take the listener’s thoughts to a place of comfort and contentment while soothing away the tensions of the day. “Lonely Raindrop” is slow and uncomplicated, expressing wistful and bittersweet feelings of solitude - a favorite! “Cold Winter Night” picks up the tempo a bit and has a slightly mysterious edge. The middle section becomes playful and almost teasing, adding a bit of humor to the piece, and then returns to the original theme to the end. I really like this one, too! “Lady Moon” is a gorgeous ballad that could have been composed late at night by candlelight. Gentle musings convey a variety of thoughts and emotions coming from the heart and speaking the truth. “Early Morning” is light and optimistic with an infectious, carefree rhythm. “Swan Lake Serenade” evokes images of elegant white birds gliding on the surface of the water, graceful and at peace. “The Journey” is a fascinating piece that conveys many different emotions and experiences - a journey of the soul. “Lullaby of the Eternal Dreamer” closes this impressive album with blissful contentment. The gentle melody and flowing rhythm would soothe any dreamer to sleep!

John Paris promises at least one new album in 2012, and I’ll be looking forward to that event! Reflections is available from www.johnparismusic.com, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Check it out!

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com
12/26/11

Thursday, February 23, 2012Indie Music Reviews Reflections Review

John Paris Paints a Musical Portrait

Unburden your ears and relax your senses with the beautiful piano solos of John Paris, an internationally recognized performer of new age jazz fusion. Combining the saucy sensibilities of light jazz fusion with the experimental and soothing nature of new age, this composer and arranger creates fascinating songs filled with inspiring melodies and tranquil rhythms. Now riding the release of his latest album, Reflections, he’s added 14 new original pieces to his already burgeoning repertoire.

Paris’ open and honest love for music shines through on each and every one of his tracks, emitting a type of spiritual enlightenment not typically exhibited by other jazz or new age contemporaries. The songs are all written in a spontaneous, improvisational style similar to Liz Story or Keith Jarrett, adding an exciting, unpredictable flair to the music. Experience some of Paris’ gorgeous musical portraits today with songs such as Cold Winter Night and Lonely Raindrop.

http://newagemusik.ning.com/profile/JohnParis
http://www.johnparismusic.com/

Monday, February 20, 2012Brian Kelly - Pools of Light Solo Piano Songbook

Available now at BrianKelly.com and Amazon.

Sunday, February 19, 2012Review of Brian Kelly Pools of Light Songbook

Review by Kathy Parsons from mainlypiano.com.

"Brian Kelly’s Pools of Light solo piano songbook is a completely revised and expanded edition of the e-book that was published in 2006. Twelve of the thirteen tracks from the album are included (“Sacred Waters” is a percussion interlude that isn’t adaptable to the piano), transcribed by Kelly himself and arranged for solo piano; I helped with the editing. The Pools of Light recording is ensemble, so some of the parts for other instruments have been incorporated into the piano part to make the sheet music sound as close to the original recording as possible. Kelly also wrote four pages of performance notes to help the pianist understand his intentions and to note differences from the recording. Coming from the composer himself, these notes are invaluable!

Brian Kelly is an incredible pianist who is very fluent in jazz stylings, so his music is far from simple and would be beyond beginning and intermediate pianists’ capabilities. Some of the pieces include cadenzas that are complicated and require very nimble fingers. The jazz rhythms are complex (and a lot of fun!) and some of the pieces have difficult key signatures (noted below). Kelly has suggested fingering for some of the thornier passages and expression has been carefully indicated according to the CD. The book is printed on bright white paper with clear, crisp type, and is spiral bound. The spacing within the scores is roomy and easy to read, and the cover is a beautiful print of the album cover artwork on glossy stock, making this a very attractive book! If you are a pianist at an early advanced to advanced playing level, this book is great fun and very satisfying to play! It is available from www.briankelly.com and Amazon, and I highly recommend it!"