I Take Requests CD

Most professional piano players take requests. I certainly do. Considering my 40 years of playing piano bars, restaurants, and other venues, I have played my share of requests. Motivating fans to feed the tip jar is a reason but it is just good customer relations to provide that service. People love to hear their favorite songs played in person and on a recording; I do too. It also encourages me to learn new songs.

I have recorded a new solo piano CD. I took your requests and compiled a list for the CD. The genre for this recording should be jazz, big band, swing, show tunes, and songs from the Great American Songbook. I have played and recorded them just as I would if I was in person.

I emailed over 300 relatives and friends. I solicited their requests and have now finished the CD with 14 songs.

Below is a list of who were the requesters and their song(s).

1. “The Star Crossed Lovers”. James Schneider, my friend, colleague, mentor, and producer requested this Duke Ellington rarely heard song. He also requested the George Gershwin classic song, “S’ Wonderful”.
2. “More Than You Know”, including the verse was requested by my friend and musician, baritone saxophonist, Don Kasten.
3. Teri Reid, at least five years running as Nashville’s most popular Piano Bar Pianist, asked for Stevie Wonders’ song, “Overjoyed” and the popular Jerome Kern song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”.
4. I didn’t need to ask my wife Ruth’s request. “Little Boat” has been her favorite for years.
5. My son’s mother-in-law from Long Island, Kay Burnette, requested “The Very Thought of you”.
6. My good friend and singer Penny Ianuzzi loves “Emily”.
7. My friend and writing mentor, Virginia Davis, requested Johnny Mandell and Johnny Mercer’s “Autumn Leaves”.
8. Virginia, and my first cousin Jane Quein, both asked for “Theme From A Summer Place”.
9. My favorite piano bar pianist in Atlanta, June Dunaphant, and my cousin David Mandt in Dallas TX, requested “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most”. Well, David didn’t but it has been his favorite for me to me since the early 1960’s.
10. My first cousin in Royal Oak, MI, Dottie Sue Patchanian, requested Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust”.
11. Omar Martinez, my friend and drummer, asked for the famous Bix Beiderbecke tune, “In A Mist’.
12. I requested the Earl Fatha Hines standard “Rosetta”. I just like it.

This recording would not be possible without the support of Silas Lyon, Owner of Southern Keyboards; James Schneider, friend and colleague. This CD was recorded using the Kawai PR1 Acoustic Piano Recorder.