Mehdi

Multi Instrumentalist / Composer Mehdi bridges the gap between contemporary instrumental and alternative music. His Gold selling albums have won him recognition worldwide as a musical genius whose talents encompass both recordings and the concert stage. Mehdi has opened for Cirque Du Soleil and the California Philharmonic Orchestra. He uses concerts as an opportunity to “create vivid musical pictures” and transports his audiences on a breathtaking odyssey of the mind, body and soul.To understand how Mehdi evolved into one of the best-loved contemporary recording artists, one need only to take a few steps back to the early years.Album...

Read more »

David Arkenstone

After coming to California from outside of Chicago at age 10, David Arkenstone immersed himself in all the music he could find. Spending high school and college in various bands and performance groups, he then criss-crossed the country several times playing popular music. He finally settled down to concentrate on developing his own sound, and when computers and instruments could finally communicate to each other, David knew his time had come. He could now hear a good portion of what he could imagine.“Technology has produced some wonderful tools for making music. The computer allows me to fully orchestrate my pieces and really fine tune...

Read more »

Suzanne Ciani

Suzanne Ciani is a pioneer in electronic music and one of the few women to blaze a trail in the genre. She received classical music training at Wellesley College and obtained her M.A. in music in 1970 at University of California at Berkeley where she met and was influenced by the idiosyncratic synthesizer designer Don Buchla. In 1974 she formed her own company, Ciani/Musica, and, using a Buchla Analog Modular Synthesizer, began scoring television commercials for Coca-Cola, Merrill Lynch, AT&T and General Electric. Besides music, her specialty was reproducing sound effects on the synthesizer that recording engineers had found difficult to...

Read more »

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland consisting of three classically-trained cellists and a drummer.Their specialty is heavy metal music on cellos, though they also play classical music.They started in 1993 by playing covers of Metallica, but once the concept became popular they wrote their own original works, maintaining the thrash metal influences on their albums Inquisition Symphony (mainly covers as well) and Cult. Since Reflections they have added drums to their recordings and live performances.Members:Eicca Toppinen - celloPerttu Kivilaakso - celloPaavo Lötjönen - celloMikko Sirén - drumsFormer members:Antero Manninen – cello (1996–1999,...

Read more »

Ann Sweeten

Ann Sweeten displayed an early interest in the keyboard, and her mother gave her a Hammond organ when she was six. Three years later, she received a Baldwin piano for Christmas. She studied privately with David Sokolof, then attended Smith College, from which she graduated cum laude with a degree in foreign languages. Next, she took vocal lessons and founded a rock band called Fall Out. After two years, she returned to academia, attending the Boston Conservatory where she studied music, acting, singing, dance, and musical theater. She moved to New York, joined the actors union, and began getting parts in stage musicals, while also playing piano...

Read more »

Joe Bongiorno

“Glass of wine & candlelight music”… is the best way to describe the gentle, flowing melodies of Seattle based solo pianist/composer Joe Bongiorno. After abandoning his classical training as a child, Joe returned to the piano is his late 20’s and discovered a wonderful channel of peace & emotional release. His 4th CD “Mesmerized” was released in Dec. 2009. Critics say “Its gentle flow casts a magical spell that draws you in and wraps your mind in unspeakable beauty”. Joe’s 2007 CD “Somewhere Within” received immediate acclaim and found its way onto radio playlists all over the world. It was nominated for Best Solo Piano CD of...

Read more »

Paul Cardall

The three time Billboard charting recording artist Paul Cardall has inspired people worldwide. Not only as a songwriter, composer, and performer, but he has been successful running his own independent record label Stone Angel Music for more than 10 years.As a teenager, Cardall discovered his gift of music. After a friend’s tragic death, he found solace through the family piano. Over the next several years, Cardall spent hours writing songs, without much formal training. ...

Read more »

Jennifer Thomas

Jennifer recently won the Public Award Trophy for her song “You By My Side” in Germany’s 2008 Swan Lake Moving Image and Music Awards.Her song “Fly Away” is currently being featured in the International Free Skiing Festival’s Award Winning film “Reasons” by Poor BoyZ Productions.“Fly Away” has also won two 1st place awards on OurStage.com this fall.Jennifer just released her 2nd album, “The Lullaby Album” July 20, 2009. It is available from her website. ...

Read more »

Interview with Laura Sullivan

What kind of music do you like to create the most? I compose mostly for the piano and other acoustic accompanying instruments and lately I have also been including vocals on some selections. I like to play and create music for which I feel some personal connection. My latest album, Feast of Joy and Love, features my vocal debut recording of romantic and emotional music. My forthcoming album, Close to Home, will be released soon. This album will include some of my favorite songs since my childhood, such as The Water is Wide, Si Beag Si Mor, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, and She Moved through the Fair.What are some of your musical influences?...

Read more »

Jon Dahlander

Jon Dahlander can’t walk by a piano. He has to play it. It’s why he’s been kicked out of countless hotel lobbies, bars and restaurants throughout his life.“To me, every piano has a story—where it was made, who made it, the kind of shape it’s in, who played it before and what it sounds like now, particularly with one of my songs,” says Jon. “So, if I see a lonely piano, I have to play it. It’s like finding a new friend with a common interest.”It’s why Jon’s series of piano solos isn’t morose or mundane. These are pieces of music that bask in the joy of being played.In 1995, Jon signed on with Dallas-based Carpe Diem Records and his debut...

Read more »