Artist profile - Bellingham Herald - July 12, 2009

Question: What's the concert on July 17 all about?

Answer: The July 17th concert at The Amadeus Project will feature myself and Louis Landon, a great pianist from New York. The two of us will perform solo, sharing stories about our music, and we will also team up for several two piano/four hand improvisations. This will be a lot of fun for us and our audience!


Q: What's the Amadeus Project?

A: Tofer Wade, who runs The Amadeus Project, is one of the first musicians I met after moving to Bellingham in 2005. He had a vision at that time to create a music school for piano students who wanted to compose. He has come a long way since our initial connection. The Amadeus Project is now up and running, and this concert will benefit the school and their many needs. It will also benefit our friends at Sustainable Connections.

A: I am very well suited to live the artist lifestyle. I enjoy intense periods of work, creation, performance, and travel; and then sustained periods of rest and time to reflect, recharge and reinvent myself. Change and trying new directions in life and music is all of the above: exciting and scary, but ultimately, very fulfilling. It can be uncomfortable at first trying out new approaches and looking to change one's musical landscape, but the results can really over shadow any brief periods of uncertainness and growing pains associated with change.


Q: Who were some of your early mentors and influences?

A: My earliest mentor was my mom, who played the piano and sang. There was always a lot of music in our home and both my parents really encouraged me to learn the piano and then pursue my dream of becoming a professional musician. I had several piano teachers while growing up who were also very nurturing, and really got me started on my way. Rock and roll, The Beatles, Beethoven, Miles Davis, and a million other great musicians helped to shape my musical education. Meditation, introspection, and following my artistic instincts have served me in realizing all my musical dreams.
 

Q: What's this about your alter ego, the Sensitive New Age Guy?

A: For me, laughing at one's self and not taking things too seriously is really the best approach to life. Focus and dedication make for a serious musician, but laughter and light heartedness bring joy to life. The "Sensitive New Age Guy" stage persona was just a way I found to make fun of myself and to create a contrast with my more serious musical compositions.


Q: Why do you live in Bellingham? Where do you tour? Who do you perform with?

A: My wife, Alicia, and I moved here from Seattle because we fell in love with Bellingham and its surroundings. I perform primarily in the U.S., but tour occasionally in Mexico and Asia. I sometimes perform with a small ensemble, but more often as a solo pianist.


Q: What's with your upcoming recording?

A: I am planning on previewing music from my upcoming project at the July 17 concert, and have been keeping this recording under wraps, which means you will have come to the show to see what is next!