I quit my classical piano training at age eleven, seeking a more glamorous life as a professional athlete. I still hear my father's words ringing clearly in my head "someday you'll thank me" referring to the childhood piano training I so gladly abandoned. An eighth grade football knee injury eventually proved detrimental to my childhood dream. Oh well!
High school brought new experiences, including a couple buddies with rock star ambitions. I grew my hair, sported parachute pants, bought a synthesizer with my neighborhood lawn mowing cash, & jammed to 80's new wave tunes on LPs. Spending Friday nights at band practice and Saturdays gigging parties & dances, memories were definitely made!
Graduating high school brought an element of retreat from the Chicago "big city" life... venturing out west with my mother & siblings to San Juan Island, Washington. Culture shock took hold,while nature and quiet times prevailed. My composing was born, as was my beautiful daughter Taylor. I endeavored to start my own recording studio & bought all the toys. Mellow Sounds Studio opened on San Juan Island in '93. My buddy Tom taught me how to listen and mix, and the islanders now had a place to record. I released"Ancient Sky"(available exclusively at iTunes) in '94,an eclectic electronic blend of piano, Native American influences (always a fav!) and even cutting edge rock instrumentals... still wandering a bit musically, obviously! Engineering & producing other artists was relatively short lived, but a priceless experience! Realizing that a musical career would be forever limitedon the island, I moved to Seattle in '97.
At age 28, a trip back to Chicago to visit Dad led me to meet his cousin, my Aunt Joann, a classical piano virtuoso whom I had only heard stories about. I sat down at her Baldwin baby grand & something special happened. No, I didn't perfom magically for her (though she was genuinely supportive), but I was enamoured by the power, simplicity,and enchanting sound of the instrument as a solo. From that day forward, my synths began to acquire dust... I focused in on an album project, rented a grand, crammed it into my basement and spent three weeks dilegently practicing & recording. "At Peace" ~ solo piano was released in February, 2001. The support for this CD was surprising, if not stunning. I give great thanks to all who gave to it!
Life got busier, busier and busier. My daughter blossoming, my career developing...life just seemed to get a bit more complicated each day. Retreats to the piano were much harder to come by. Compositions came together, but over periods of months. My ability to visualize and memorize carried me through these times, musically. I managed to abstain from reading or writing music with my sole intent being to improvise and create.
Three years passed and I bought a grand piano! My 17 years in & out of the restaurant business finally brought me a handsome salary with a great company, but I longed deeply for a new CD to hand to my family, friends, and fans. My great friendand fellow pianist Joe Yamada put his home and glorious Kawai concert grand at my disposal and I dove in head first. My second solo piano release "Destined" ~ solo piano was released April, 2004. It continues to receive heavy airplay at www.solopianoradio.com and my song "Just For You" (dedicated to & inspired by Aunt Joann ironically) hit ..1 in March, 2004!
My third CD "Somewhere Within" ~ solo piano was released in August of '07 and is currently being played over radio stations world wide. Life is good!
Oh, and if I haven't said this yet (I do believeI have), thank you Dad!
Hello Joe thank you very much for you bi my Friend,Your Piano Music is nice. Im like it.I wish you the best for you and your Family. lovly Greetzzz from Switzerland Meli
The best of joy this coming June with your concert, may the days leading to the time be of peace and your continence be as expressive as your desires. Both musician and listener depend on each other for a night of enchantment, forget apprehension and flood the room with pure unrestrained passion.
I so much wanted to attend your house concert in June, but I am in a state of constant changing temporary jobs and cannot commit to a day, I will be watching to see if a ticket is available at the last minute.
Joe, it was great to talk to you last night... I am so excited about our concert and can barely wait to get to Phoenix!!! It's gonna be AWESOME! Talk to you soon! Michele
Wow! Joe ~ your new song "Array of Light" surprised me! It started off with the lovely simplicity of your melodic solo piano... then evolved into a wonderfully captivating arrangement :o) SO pretty... I just love it!!! You have a great ear for arranging ~ especially having heard "Rights of Nature" and this one! Yeah!
Hi Joe -- yeah, I had a great time hanging with you and the "whisperings gang" - wish I could have spent more time, but that means there's more to talk about next time!
