New Age Music World

Archive for the ‘Grammy Nominated Artist’ Category

Interview with Peter Kater in 2013 – Newest interview with multi-platinum selling composer and pianist Peter Kater.

Multi-Platinum selling recording and concert artist Peter Kater is a legendary composing pianist recognized as one the leading new age and instrumental music producers worldwide. GRAMMY® Nominated seven times over the past eight years, along with his own albums he is a consistent producer of cinematic music for the television and film industry.

Peter Kater has composed music scores for over 100 television programs and films, including 11 off and On-Broadway theatrical plays to date. In addition to performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Peter Kater’s music was played during the NBC broadcast of the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games and is recognized for his collaboration work with distinguished actors and celebrities in the film and music industry.

Topics for the newest interview with Peter Kater include a conversation of his GRAMMY® Nominated album Light Body and notable achievements during his music career. Peter Kater also replies to questions about important film directors and celebrities he has worked with, and offers encouraging words of advice to artists beginning their music careers.

Peter Kater Interview – New in 2013:

New Age Music World interview host and publicist John P. Olsen had an opportunity to interview Peter Kater in early 2013. Today we are pleased to present a new interview with the esteemed instrumental music composer and pianist Peter Kater.

John P. Olsen: Thank you for accepting my interview invitation Peter, and for taking time out of your demanding schedule. Recently your piano with instrumentals album Light Body was GRAMMY® Nominated in the 55th Annual Music Awards.

Light Body is your eighth GRAMMY® nomination, which is a significant achievement in itself. Would I be correct by saying even though you are accustomed the prestige and recognition Nomination brings, that the Annual Music Awards Ceremony is always an exciting time of the year for you?

Peter Kater: Yes, it’s an exciting time of year and it’s also a time to stay very close to my center and remain true to the reason that I do music, and to connect with a deeper more intimate and profound part of myself, my experience and others. To get swept up into something as external as a Grammy Award or to look outside of myself for my happiness and contentment would be a mistake. However, having said that – yes, it’s very cool to be Nominated.

John: I imagine you have a chance to visit with old friends and perhaps meet new friends during the Music Awards Ceremony. One GRAMMY® Award winning artist you have collaborated with in the past is American flute performer R. Carlos Nakai. Would you like to tell us about your friendship and projects with R. Carlos Nakai?

Peter Kater: R. Carlos Nakai has been Nominated for a Grammy 9 times and unfortunately has not yet won, although he certainly deserves to. R. Carlos and I met in 1989 after I was turned on to his music and invited him to play on a CD of mine. Our first collaboration was on the album Natives.

We improvised the whole CD in a few short hours. We’ve known each other for decades and have had our ups and downs but whenever we get to playing music together either on stage, in the studio or in my living room it’s literally . . . magic. It flows like a mountain spring. It’s a connection we’ve always had. And yet, sometimes the human personality is not quite as fluid.

John: You have also collaborated with an impressive number of projects with popular film directors and award-winning celebrity actors. Who are some notable film directors and celebrities you have worked on projects with over the years?

Peter Kater: My favorite scoring projects were “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama” cause I really liked the film and subject matter and “How The West Was Lost” because it was such an important series (13 hour mini-series) that really exposed the truth of the settlement out west in the U.S. and what the heavy price our Native American culture paid. It was a very sad and poignant series where I found myself literally crying in the studio as I was playing the visual footage.

I also really enjoyed the work I did on Broadway and Off-Broadway theater productions. I was working with the very best in the business, director Marshall Mason: Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Lanford Wilson and amazing actors like John Malcovich, Joan Allen, Tyne Daley, Ethan Hawke, John Voight and many others. Being in the rehearsal process with these great talents for weeks at a time was definitely a highlight of my career.

I also enjoyed performing in the early years at the Sundance Institute and Film Festival as per the request of Robert Redford who really liked my music. And I have to mention my wonderful 10 years of playing with and for John Denver at his “Choices for the Future” Symposiums in Aspen, Colorado.

I met many famous influential authors and world leaders thru his symposiums. And I would be remiss in not mentioning my work with Kenny Loggins. Actually I could go on and on cause there have been so many amazing experiences but for that I may need to write book.

John: With a list of celebrities like you described I can see why Peter! Earlier releases like Light Body are wonderful arrangements showing your creativity as a composer and musician. Could you describe the theme of Light Body, which is based on seven Chakras?

Peter Kater: Light Body’s theme is of the 7 Chakras starting at the root chakra and working our way up. It was designed to create an experience of acceptance and illumination for people dealing with life changing circumstances from everything from daily stress thru disease and dying.

John: In addition to your superb performance on piano and synthesizers, Paul McCandless and Trisha Bowden have helped you transform Light Body into an outstanding instrumental album that indeed has award-winning potential. Would you like to tell us what musical instruments they perform and enhancements they bring to your recent GRAMMY® Nominated arrangement Light Body?

Peter Kater: Trisha sang some beautiful wordless vocals on the record really giving it a human compassionate feeling. Paul McCandless played oboe, penny whistles and English horn. Paul always adds a lot to any recording project. He is one my musical mentors and heroes.

John: Undoubtedly, a lot has transpired over the years since 1983 when you released your first solo piano album entitled Spirit. At what point during your career did you find the incentive to begin producing serene new age, instrumental piano music made for reflection and relaxation?

Peter Kater: I decided to go into the direction of deeper, more reflective music after I had three National Top 10 Contemporary Jazz albums and was touring playing jazz festivals around the country.

I realized then I definitely wasn’t feeling fulfilled playing that kind of music (even though I wrote and produced it) and wanted my music to fill a need in the world for greater healing, peace, love and compassion.

John: During your career as a music professional spanning three decades, you have released over 60 recordings, and over 100 soundtracks for movie scores for films or television, including off and On-Broadway theatrical plays. Could you tell us about the varying process of composing music for television or theater, verses composing music for an album?

Peter Kater: When you’re working with another art medium like film, theater or dance you’re in an interactive process and need to leave space and room for the other medium. You’re bouncing off each other and as result coming up with material you never would have come up with on your own.

John: Knowing you have lived in the U.S. in the state of Hawaii, has the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands been a stimulus to your music?

Peter Kater: Actually living in Hawaii brought me such peace and contentment that I was actually playing less and less music. Therefore my move back to Boulder, Colorado last year has reignited my burning passion for the piano and for writing and recording music. I’ve always done great work from Colorado and it’s been exciting to feel that part of my “being” engaged once more.

John: Along with easy access you give fans at your website you also have Facebook and Twitter social media sites. Have your social media pages proven to be a beneficial outlet for exchanging ideas and information with your fans and visitors?

Peter Kater: I like being connected to my fans and people of like mind and heart and soul. It’s one of the good things about the internet. I enjoy it but I think it’s important to stay present in one’s life in a real physical and tangible way and not get lost staring at the computer screen.

John: I have a question I always like to ask a highly successful artist like you Peter. Would you be willing to offer any advice for pianists or artists in general who are just beginning their music careers?

Peter Kater: Follow your heart. Trust your instincts. Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t ask for too many opinions from others. Play each note like it’s never been played before in this space and time (cause it hasn’t been) and never lie to your instrument. Play what you’re feeling honestly . . . don’t pretend to be confident when you’re feeling nervous . . . don’t pretend to be happy when you’re feeling sad. Don’t be out going with your feeling introspective and don’t hide from your fears or your pain cause then you’ll never find your joy and bliss. And place “authenticity” before all else.

John: I read while taking piano lessons as a youngster, you struggled with early piano instructors because you wanted to improvise on “the classics.” Do you feel this desire to improvise early in life was an important factor with your success today, and if so, would you advise parents with young children taking music lessons to allow them “creative freedom” to explore too?

Peter Kater: I always wanted to play things my own way. But it was important for me to learn the basics and structure as well. In the early years there has to be that balance of learning and enjoyment. But most importantly, find a teacher that really inspires you and makes you feel good about playing.

John: Along with your numerous studio releases you perform live concerts, plus people can book a live home concert with you to perform during special occasions. Will you be performing live in 2013, and what can people expect while attending a Peter Kater concert?

Peter Kater: I’ll be doing plenty of concerts in 2013. Some solo and some with collaborators. I think people can expect a “real” experience. A lot of people have a “moving” experience and some even have a cathartic experience. I think the honesty with which I approach my music is felt within the listeners and as a result “real” feelings emerge and true “experiences” are had. But it’s a very personal and individual thing. Everyone has their own experience.

John: Your successes and achievements during your career is truly remarkable Peter. Of your many achievements, what would you say are the two most gratifying moments during your music career to date?

Peter Kater: The most gratifying thing about my musical career to date is that I’m still passionate about it. I still can sit down at the piano, solo of playing with someone, and have a real experience of wonderment, honesty and excitement. I’m still curious about what’s possible and I still love it. There’s nothing more gratifying than the enjoyment of making music and sharing it with others in the moment. If you’re attached to the past you’re not living in the present. And the “present” is all we ever have.

John: Thank you again for taking time away from your work for our interview Peter! In closing for now, is there anything you would like to express to your fans that have supported you over the years?

Peter Kater: Thanks for your good wishes. I really appreciate them and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about what’s important to me. And I also appreciate, very much, the people that listened to my music and have a personal experience through it that is there’s. The fact that I can create something, or channel something that can add to the life of another person in a positive and impactful way is truly wonderful. That is a gift to me in and of itself.

It’s an honor to be a musician and it’s wonderful to have a life filled with music flowing thru me and out into the world.

Thank you for listening!  ~ Peter Kater ~

Visit the PeterKater.com homepage for news, and learn more on this great artist on the Peter Kater profile page and visit his music shop for special offers and to sample or purchase his albums. Photos and cover art are courtesy peterkater.com.

Best Soundtrack Music Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross win GRAMMY® Award for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media by their film score album titled The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Winners in 81 categories were recently named during a live presentation ceremony. The show publicized as “Music’s Biggest Night” was aired live during a televised broadcast on the CBS Television Network.

The ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 10, 2013 included a series of show performances while honoring top artists for their achievements by one or more awards of 81 Best Album Award categories.

Composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were presented with a GRAMMY® Award in the Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media Category, determined by voting members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack earned Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross the prestigious, top Music Award.

The GRAMMY® Awards first inaugurated in 1959 was formed to recognize artists for their achievements in the music recording industry. To give you an idea how popular this awards presentation has become, the Annual Music Awards is ranked in viewership popularity as one of the highest rated television special programs.

Last year’s televised live Annual Music Awards ceremony reported 39.9 million viewers worldwide. The prime-time awards presentation in 2013 with an equally long list of popular celebrities who performed live during the presentation ceremony is expected to be another record breaking year for television viewership.

The five additional Nominated composers and their Soundtrack Scores in the 55th Music Awards for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media are: The Adventures Of Tintin – The Secret Of The Unicorn Soundtrack by composer John Williams, The Artist Soundtrack by composer Ludovic Bource, The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack by composer Hans Zimmer, Hugo Soundtrack by composer Howard Shore, and Journey: Official Game Soundtrack by composer Austin Wintory.

Sample or purchase the album soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross titled The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo at Amazon.com. Read the complete list of prizewinning artists and albums in all 81 Best Album Categories at Grammy.com. Photos are courtesy Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross & Big Stock Photo – AnmFoto.

Best World Music Album: The Recording Academy bestows Ravi Shankar a 55th GRAMMY® Award in the Best World Music Album Category for his album The Living Room Sessions Part 1.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Winners in 81 specific categories were announced during a live presentation ceremony. The show publicized as “Music’s Biggest Night” aired live during a televised broadcast on the CBS Television Network.

The ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 10, 2013 included a series of show performances while honoring top artists for their achievements by one or more awards of 81 total Best Album Award categories.

Selected Best World Music Album in category #51, a Music Award was bestowed to Ravi Shankar posthumously. Award recipients in all categories were determined by voting members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Ravi Shankar won the Best World Music Album GRAMMY® Award for his album titled The Living Room Sessions Part 1.

The GRAMMY® Awards first inaugurated in 1959 was formed to recognize artists for their achievements in the music recording industry. To give you an idea how popular this awards presentation has become, the Annual Music Awards is ranked in viewership popularity as one of the highest rated television special programs.

Last year’s televised live Annual Music Awards ceremony reported 39.9 million viewers worldwide. The prime-time awards presentation in 2013 with an equally long list of popular celebrities who performed live during the presentation ceremony is expected to be another record breaking year for television viewership.

The four additional nominees and their albums in the 55th Music Awards for Best World Music Album are: Folila by Amadou & Mariam, On A Gentle Island Breeze by Daniel Ho, Jabulani by Hugh Masekela and Traveller by Anoushka Shankar. For album reviews and interviews with additional Award-Winning and Nominated artists at this site find further reading and information on my main pages.

To sample or purchase The Living Room Session Part 1 album visit RaviShankar.org. You may also sample or purchase The Living Room Session Part 1 at the store page for Ravi Shankar at Amazon.com. To read the complete list of award-winning artists, including all award-nominees in all 81 Best Album Categories visit Grammy.com. Cover art and photo are courtesy ravishankar.org. & Big Stock Photo – AnmFoto.

Echoes Of Love by Omar Akram: The Recording Academy has named Omar Akram a 55th GRAMMY® Award-Winner in the Best New Age Album Category for his album Echoes Of Love.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Winners in 81 specific categories were announced during a live presentation ceremony. The show publicized as “Music’s Biggest Night” aired live during a televised broadcast on the CBS Television Network.

The ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 10, 2013 included a series of show performances while honoring top artists for their achievements by one or more awards of 81 total Best Album Award categories.

Selected top album out of 6 albums total in the New Age Music Category (#30) a Music Award was presented to Omar Akram. The recipients in all 81 categories of this prestigious music award were ultimately determined by voting members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).

Omar Akram won the GRAMMY® Award in the Best New Age Album Category for his album titled Echoes Of Love.

The GRAMMY® Awards first inaugurated in 1959 was formed to recognize artists for their achievements in the music recording industry. To give you an idea how popular this awards presentation has become, the Annual Music Awards is ranked in viewership popularity as one of the highest rated television special programs.

Last year’s televised live 54th Annual Awards program reported 39.9 million viewers worldwide. This year’s prime-time live awards presentation with a long list of popular celebrities is expected to be another record breaking year for television viewership.

I have interviewed a number of GRAMMY® Award/Nominated artists and written album reviews about their albums over the years. If you are new to this music blog, on my main pages you can find more information about artists in this year and past years award competition in the Soundtrack, Americana, Instrumental, New Age, and World music genre categories.

To sample or purchase Echoes Of Love visit the artist at OmarMusic.com. Visit the record label RealMusic.com and find Echoes Of Love at Real Music online store page for Omar Akram. To view the complete list of award-winning artists and their albums in 81 Best Album Categories visit Grammy.com.

Cover art and photo are courtesy realmusic.com & Big Stock Photo – AnmFoto.

Rumbadoodle by Nominee Arun Shenoy: GRAMMY® Nominated Album for Best Pop Instrumental Album in the 55th Music Awards.

With the 55th GRAMMY® Awards scheduled for February 10, 2013, it will be exciting to see if the world fusion album Rumbadoodle by Nominee Arun Shenoy is presented with a prestigious music award in 2013. This release with 11 songs is named by a wide range of ethnic styles integrated into every song.

Rumbadoodle is a debut album Arun Shenoy produced from the sound variety of Gypsy Rumba Flamenco music, and a variety of instrumental styles like pop, rock, new age, and world music rhythms. Given the wide ranging diversity it is hard to imagine one defining sound to accurately describe this nominated release but as it turns out Rumbadoodle neatly converges into one exceptional album.

Special note: Arun Shenoy is donating 100% of the proceeds from Rumbadoodle album sales to an education fund for the underprivileged in India.

The 11 songs on audio CD or mp3 are: Rumbadoodle, My Ballad Days, Prance, Rock and Rigmarole, The Violin Song, Fireflies, Blue Sky Happiness Pt. 1, Blue Sky Happiness Pt. 2, Sleepy Town, Wanderlust in Keys & Rhythm of the Sun.

Visit the artist at ArunShenoy.com and find Rumbadoodle at Amazon.com. Album art is courtesy arunshenoy.com.

Deep Alpha by Steven Halpern – GRAMMY® Nominated Album in the New Age Music Category at the 55th GRAMMY® Awards.

The new age album Deep Alpha has a unique distinction from the majority of new age recordings produced in 2012 by Steven Halpern’s Nomination for Best New Age Album in the 55th GRAMMY® Awards set for February 10, 2013.

Steven Halpern is a best-selling recording artist who is widely accepted as one of the earliest originators of healing music. With over 6 million albums sold, you will find his music is a source of admiration for fans and colleagues alike.

Credited for his early music and scientific studies in the field of therapeutic music, his leading role as producer of healing music has resulted in many of the best albums made specifically for relaxation, yoga and stress relief.

New age music albums produced by Steven Halpern frequently make the Top 10 Charts at Billboard. In fact a comparable album titled Deep Theta: High Coherence Soundscapes For Meditation And Healing is presently listed at #6 in the Billboard Top 10 New Age Chart, having held a position in the Top 10 Chart for the past 18 weeks.

Produced by a leading authority in the field of healing music Deep Alpha, with 14 songs at over an hour in length is an exceptional blend of electronic and instrumental new age music produced in 2012 by recording artist Steven Halpern.

Comparable to all of his music the tonal atmosphere is composed with a scientific approach to promote the healing power of music. Having produced over 70 recordings to date, his music is perfect for massage, meditation, stress management and yoga.

For the leading new age recording artist Steven Halpern this year could yield a long overdue and much deserved GRAMMY® Award. When you visit his website you will find special discount pricing on his selection of audio CDs in celebration of his 38th year anniversary, so the time is right to purchase his albums.

Find more about the artist Steven Halpern and sample or purchase Deep Alpha: Brainwave Synchronization for Meditation and Healing at InnerPeaceMusic.com. Photography is courtesy innerpeacemusic.com.

New Vocal Instrumental Album in 2013: Pre-release album review for Loveren by David Arkenstone & Charlee Brooks.

It never ceases to amaze me how some artists find within themselves to consistently produce quality music year after year. This is true with multi-platinum selling concert and recording artist David Arkenstone, who is a source of admiration for millions of fans and colleagues alike.

Retaining a long standing reputation as an award-winning, top instrumental music producer David Arkenstone covers a broad array of styles including ambient, adult contemporary, Celtic, electronic, world, and new age, having made the Top 10 Billboard New Age charts twenty times.

David Arkenstone’s original compositions similarly reach a diverse range of audiences including venues like the NBC Olympics, Triple Crown and Breeder’s Cup sportscasts, plus popular video game World of Warcraft. A progressive new sound is precisely what you can expect hear on a brand new vocal and orchestral album, due to be released on March 5, 2013.

Loveren is a brilliant illustration of how the three times GRAMMY® Nominated David Arkenstone has advanced musically over the past twenty-five years. You will also soon find Loveren is an epic orchestral score by the adventurous master storyteller with an impressive vocalist and lyricist by his side named Charlee Brooks.

Rarely do I compare one artist to the next but in this case I believe many people will soon be in agreement when I say Charlee Brooks is an amazing vocalist whose singing ability may be likened to superstar vocalists Enya and Sarah Brightman. In addition to primary artist who include John Wakefield on percussion and Eric Rigler on woodwinds, a full strings section and choir vocals by The Nashville Soul Choir deeply embolden Loveren like no other previous score.

Traversing new age and world music rhythms with crossover pop vocals sung by Charlee Brooks, and magnificent orchestrations are the leading attraction on the newest album fans will surely be calling the best David Arkenstone album ever!

The 9 songs on Loveren are: Origins, The Forbidden Sea, Lumaria, Sessa Nulma, Jamboree, Song Of Loveren, Lost, Slip Away & Love Always Waits. Included is an attractive 16 page CD booklet containing lyrical verses by Charlee Brooks and a short novel of the love story Loveren written by author Steven Vlasak. A live production of the story directed by award-winning producer Victoria Paige Meyerink is set for March 16, 2013 at the landmark Alwx Theatre in Glendale, California.

Visit DavidArkenstone.com and CharleeBrooks.com. Prior to March 5, 2013 pre-order audio CD Loveren at Amazon.com. Photo and cover art courtesy davidarkenstone.com & charleebrooks.com.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Nominations for the entire 81 music categories, including the Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media category, were announced during a televised live broadcast presentation and entertainment show on December 5, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The opening presentation by The Recording Academy® shown live on the CBS Television Network began the official countdown to the 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony for 2013. The program for the evening show in Nashville publicized as “The GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live!! – Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night included past winners and nominees who gave a series of live entertainment performances.

The 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony specified at Grammy.com lists the date of February 10, 2013, when they will reveal the award-winning artists in 81 Best Album Award categories. During the awards presentation scheduled for February 10, 2013, the CBS Television Network will again broadcast the official ceremony live at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.

I have interviewed or written album reviews for a number of GRAMMY® Award/Nominated artists over the years. If you are new to this music blogspot there is more information about artists in this year and past years award competition in the Soundtrack, Americana, Instrumental, New Age, and World music genre categories.

The 6 Nominees for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (#57) are shown alphabetically. You may sample or purchase Nominated albums by direct links to each album at Amazon.com. Read more music news at Grammy.com and the complete category list of 81 Nominees at Grammy.com. Photos are courtesy each artist & Big Stock Photo – HelleM.

The 55th GRAMMY® Nominees – Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media:

1. John Williams composer – The Adventures Of Tintin – The Secret Of The Unicorn Soundtrack.

2. Ludovic Bource composer – The Artist Soundtrack.

3. Hans Zimmer composer – The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack.

4. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross composers – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack.

5. Howard Shore composer – Hugo Soundtrack.

6. Austin Wintory composer –  Journey: Official Game Soundtrack.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Nominations for the entire 81 music categories, including the World Music genre category, were announced several days ago during a live television broadcast and entertainment presentation on December 5, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The opening presentation by The Recording Academy®, presented live on the CBS Television Network, began the official countdown to the 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony for 2013. The program for the evening show in Nashville publicized as “The GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live!! – Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night included past winners and nominees who gave a series of live entertainment performances.

The 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony specified at Grammy.com lists the date of February 10, 2013, when they will reveal the award-winning artists in 81 Best Album Award categories. During the music awards presentation scheduled for February 10, 2013, the CBS Television Network will broadcast the official ceremony live at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.

I have interviewed or written album reviews for a number of GRAMMY® Award/Nominated artists over the years. If you are new to this music blogspot there is more information to read about artists in this year and past years award competition in the New Age, Instrumental, Americana, Soundtrack, and World music genre categories.

The 5 Nominees in the World Music category (#51) are shown alphabetically. You may sample or purchase the Nominated albums for every artist by direct links to each album at Amazon.com. Read more music news at Grammy.com and the complete category list of 81 Nominees at Grammy.com. Photos are courtesy each artist & Big Stock Photo – HelleM.

The 55th GRAMMY® Nominees – World Music Album Category are:

1. Folila by Amadou & Mariam. Sample or purchase Folila at Amazon.com.

2. On A Gentle Island Breeze by Daniel Ho. Sample or purchase On a Gentle Island Breeze at Amazon.com.

3. Jabulani by Hugh Masekela. Sample or purchase Jabulani at Amazon.com.

4. Traveller by Anoushka Shankar. Sample or purchase Traveller at Amazon.com.

5. The Living Room Sessions Part 1 by Ravi Shankar. Find The Living Room Sessions at Amazon.com.

The 55th GRAMMY® Award Nominations for the entire 81 music categories, including the New Age Music genre category, were announced hours ago during a television broadcast presentation and live entertainment event on December 5, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The opening presentation by The Recording Academy®, presented live on the CBS Television Network, began the official countdown to the 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony for 2013. The program for the evening show in Nashville publicized as “The GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live!! – Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night included past winners and nominees who gave a series of dazzling entertainment performances.

The 55th GRAMMY® Awards Ceremony specified at Grammy.com lists the date of February 10, 2013, when they will reveal the award-winning artists in 81 Best Album Award categories. During the upcoming awards presentation on February 10, 2013, the CBS Television Network will once more broadcast the official ceremony live at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.

I have interviewed or written album reviews for a number of GRAMMY® Award/Nominated artists over the years so visitors new to this music blogspot can read information about artists in this year and past years award competition in the New Age, Instrumental, Americana, Soundtrack, and World music genre categories.

The 6 Nominees in the new age music category (#30) are shown alphabetically. I have sampled all 6 albums and can say they are all great releases worthy of the world’s most prestigious award. You may sample or purchase each Artist’s Nominated album by direct links to each album at Amazon.com. Read more music news at Grammy.com and the complete category list of 81 Nominees at Grammy.com. Photos are courtesy each artist & Big Stock Photo – HelleM.

The 55th GRAMMY® Nominees – New Age Album Category are:

1. Echoes Of Love by Omar Akram. Sample or purchase Echoes Of Love at Amazon.com.

2. Live Ananda by Krishna Das. Sample or purchase Live Ananda at Amazon.com.

3. Bindu by Michael Brant DeMaria. Sample or purchase Bindu at Amazon.com.

4. Deep Alpha by Steven Halpern. Sample or purchase Deep Alpha at Amazon.com.

5. Light Body by Peter Kater. Sample or purchase Light Body at Amazon.com.

6. Troubadours On The Rhine by Loreena McKennitt. Troubadours On The Rhine at Amazon.com.

Pianist Jim Brickman – Concert Tour Schedule for 2012 & 2013.

Multi-platinum selling pianist Jim Brickman is one of today’s contemporary artists whose selection of romantic piano and Christmas music spans across a wide selection of popular music genres. With 6 Gold and Platinum albums, 2 GRAMMY® Nominations, and 30 chart topping adult radio hits, no doubt Jim Brickman is accustomed to being the recipient of prestigious awards and recognition.

Along with 2 SESAC Songwriter of the Year awards, a Canadian Country Music Award, and a Gospel Music Association Dove Award, top artist Jim Brickman is tied for the most #1 albums in Billboard’s New Age charts. Likewise, Jim Brickman is renowned as the greatest pianist in the Adult Contemporary genre category, having made the Billboard Charts more than any other male performer.

Presently Jim Brickman’s Romanza album, which peaked at the #1position, has spent a total of 51 weeks in Billboard’s Top 10 New Age Chart. With this high favorability rating, chart topping hits, and music awards, no wonder Jim Brickman is one of America’s favorite concert performers in the instrumental music category.

Jim Brickman’s Holiday Concert Tour in 2012, is billed as “Jim Brickman on a Winter’s Night.” According to his website the 2012 concert tour began on November 2, 2012 in Lake Jackson, Texas with numerous concert dates scheduled in 2012. The Jim Brickman Concert Tour for 2013 begins on January 19, 2013 in the Caribbean Islands, with the show taking place during the Jim Brickman Cruise for 2013. Given his popularity, it’s easy to see why he is considered one of the top recording concert pianists in the new age instrumental music category.

There are presently around 50 concert dates scheduled between the 2012 Concert starting date and the up to date of March 28, 2013 in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada at the Festival Place, so check the Jim Brickman Concert Tour Page for 2012 – 2013. There are sure to be upcoming show additions so check back for concert schedule updates in your area. If you missed it, read my Interview with Jim Brickman. For news and information visit JimBrickman.com and find full concert schedule on the Jim Brickman 2012 – 2013 Tour. Photo courtesy jimbrickman.com.

55th GRAMMY® Awards – Program Schedule and Event Information for the 55th GRAMMY® Awards & Nomination Shows Honoring the Best Artists & Best Albums in 2013.

News and schedule information for the 55th GRAMMYS® has been announced giving the date, time and location for the most prestigious music awards honoring the best artists and best albums in 2013.

Complete details for the 55th Music Awards Ceremony specified at the Grammy.com website announce the upcoming date as February 10, 2013, held at the previous location as last year’s ceremony, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The CBS Television Network will broadcast the live event in 2013 at 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. Prior to the Live Awards Ceremony, select GRAMMY® Nominees will be announced in another live concert event on December 5, 2012 in Nashville Tennessee.

The ceremony this year is publicized as “The GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live!! – Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.” The CBS Television Network will air the live televised show featuring music performances by past winners and nominees on December 5, 2012 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 9:00 p.m. CT.

The Annual GRAMMY® Awards is ranked in viewership popularity as one of the highest rated television special programs. Last year’s televised live 54th Annual Awards program reported 39.9 million viewers worldwide. This year’s primetime live awards presentation is expected to be another record breaking year for TV viewership.

Artists within the New Age, Instrumental, Americana, World, and every other music genre have been submitting their music and ballot information pertaining to their newest release in 2012 in hopes they too will be nominated and eventually selected for a best album award during the televised awards presentation ceremony.

Like previous years I have written articles or interviewed GRAMMY® Award/Nominated artists, so visitors new to this music blog can read more about artists in this year’s and past years award competition in the New Age, Instrumental, Americana, and World music genres.

Visit Grammy.com for complete news, information updates and read the 55th Grammy Awards 2013 page for more details. Big Stock Photos – Pcummings & Eskay Lim.

Pre-release Album Review: The Maiden of Stonehenge by three times GRAMMY® Nominee Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria.

Award-winning Michael Brant DeMaria is a three times GRAMMY® Nominated recording artist, psychologist, author and speaker with a dramatic new soundtrack album for 2012. Four years in the making, The Maiden of Stonehenge is a musical soundtrack to an original theatrical play of the same title co-written by Michael DeMaria and Stephen C. Lott.

Michael DeMaria is an esteemed artist in the new age music community, and like all of his arrangements, The Maiden of Stonehenge is both a significant release and highly anticipated new album in 2012.

Michael DeMaria’s three GRAMMY® Nominations for Best New Age Album of the Year, Bindu, Gaia, Ocean & Siyotanka each have risen to the top #1 position on Zone Music Reporter’s Radio Charts in the New Age Albums category.

Extensive worldwide radio coverage of his four releases in the Ontos Healing Sound Project at XM/Sirius Radio, Soundscape Cable, Satellite and internet radio stations has led to numerous Zone Music Reporter’s Best Album Awards.

First in the Ontos Healing Sound Project Siyotanka won a Native American Music Award and earned a GRAMMY® Nomination in the Best Native American Music Album category, and won ZMR’s Best Native American Album in 2009.

Second in series Ocean won Zone Music Reporter awards in two categories of Best Ambient Album of 2009 and Best Relaxation/Meditation Album of 2009. Gaia likewise was awarded in the two categories of Zone Music Reporter’s Album of the Year and Best World Album. Earlier in 2012, Michael Brant DeMaria’s fourth in the Ontos Healing Sound Project series Bindu debuted at #1 and remained on ZMR’s New Age Radio Chart for two months in a row.

The Maiden of Stonehenge is the most elaborate musical odyssey Michael Brant DeMaria has brought to life yet. Familiar with every one of his releases, Michael’s new album for 2012 will surprise anyone acquainted with his earlier arrangements. The soundtrack recording wonderfully illustrates the story based theme for a musical journey centered on the life and adventures of an young orphan girl in ancient Britain as she finds her way to the ancient Circle of Stones.

Although Michael performs on a number of ethnic flutes, keyboards, and synthesizers like earlier releases, listening to his newest album was truly a revelation since each song is conveyed in unique fashion to all other songs from previous albums. For the first time vocals are uniquely integrated into a number of songs by Michael, and of lead vocalist Maggie Crain on the songs Chantress & Stonehenge.

Beginning with the deeply mysterious first overture Lost Village to the harmonious conclusion in the final song Stonehenge, each scene is crafted to reveal a vivid musical adventure. Inside the audio CD album, cover notes give the setting to each of the 13 songs that enable the listener to follow the storyline.

The Sounds True record label is another store where you can find the two albums In The Flow & Solace. Both albums are designed for patient therapy and emotional well-being in his professional role as a Music Therapist. The Maiden of Stonehenge is the most impressive album to compliment the long linage of award-winning albums by new age, instrumental and world music recording artist Michael Brant DeMaria.

Visit Michael Brant DeMaria’s Ontos.org music section to sample and purchase his albums, or visit the store page for Michael DeMaria at Amazon.com, CDBaby and iTunes. The Maiden of Stonehenge is a pre-release currently available at major online stores prior to the official release date of winter 2012-2013. Photos and cover artwork are courtesy ontos.org.

Instrumental Music Review: David Lanz – The Beatles Inspired Here Comes The Sun, (Solo Piano & Piano Instrumental Album) with Gary Stroutsos, Walter Grey, and Keith Lowe.

If someone were to ask you to name one of the greatest bands ever in today’s contemporary modern times, who would you name?

If the question was slightly rephrased and you were then asked to name the greatest band of all time most people would begin by naming English rock band icons The Beatles. Even today, a half century later after forming in 1960, The Beatles are considered the greatest, best-selling band of all time, with over 300 million albums sold – according to Wikipedia.

Legendary pianist David Lanz is one of today’s top instrumental recording and concert artists who would most likely reach the same conclusion for either question about The Beatles. In addition to knowing this music history fact the platinum selling artist David Lanz also happens to be a pianist many people would name as one of today’s top pianists in the industry who has produced a great number of solo and instrumental songs inspired by The Beatles.

While there are a variety of The Beatles tribute bands and albums, David Lanz has one of today’s most comprehensive collections of original music inspired by The Beatles as a band, and as songwriters. You will find his song arrangements pay a fine compliment to the beloved band by their depth, passion and complexity. This year he has released two superb individual versions of their work each having 10 songs with identical song titles. The first is a solo piano album and the second is a piano with instrumentals release. Both are quality new releases for 2012.

Here Comes The Sun is a new instrumental ensemble album where David Lanz re-defines 10 song melodies by the Fab Four in a personal way. The depth of his instrumental arrangement and performance of the melodic songs are shown in a new beautiful light, having spent four years on the song arrangement and recording of Here Comes The Sun as a quality driven product for 2012.

David performs piano and keyboard on the instrumental album, and enlisted three artists who each have their own notoriety as instrumental music professionals. Artists in the ensemble are Gary Stroutsos on woodwinds/flute, Walter Grey on cello, and Keith Lowe on bass.  I suppose it’s applicable to say he had a little help from his friends. After sampling Here Come The Sun (Solo Piano Version) I can say this is where you will hear David Lanz at his personal best as a piano soloist.

Liverpool: Re-Imagining The Beatles by David Lanz is an earlier 2010 release honoring the Fab Four by as many may know. The Liverpool release includes guest artists and presented flutist Gary Stroutsos, cellist Walter Gray, and one of the last performances of the late great session artist Larry Knechtel.

The 10 song titles on both versions are: Prelude: Sunrise Follows Moon, Here Comes the Sun, Help!, Mother Nature’s Son, For No One, There’s A Place, Please Please Me, Penny Lane and I Am The Walrus & Sir George (Liverpool Farewell).

While David Lanz is famous for his The Beatles inspired albums and songs, his #1 in the Top 10 Billboard Adult Alternative/New Age hit Cristofori’s Dream, re-defined his career from that moment forward. Today David Lanz has an excellent collection of albums to choose from in the solo piano, and piano with instrumentals selection.

For any serious music aficionado a song collection simply wouldn’t be complete without music of The Beatles as a band, along with the solo music of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Would I say the same about David Lanz and his entire selection of solo and instrumental projects inspired by The Beatles? Knowing the depth and passion of his work, I would say yes. From yesterday and today it’s a wonderful stroll down Abbey Road.

Visit DavidLanz.com for news and sample or purchase at the David Lanz music store. Portrait courtesy Joe del Tufo Photography and davidlanz.com.

Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria is a 54th GRAMMY® Awards Nominee in the Best New Age Album category this year, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. Nominated for his Gaia album, Michael is also a new age artist with a continuous mission.

For the past 30 years as an integrative psychotherapist, Michael has committed much of his life helping people resolve their personal issues.

Bindu is the brand new 2012 release from Michael Brant DeMaria, who is a top ranked new age artist in his own right. The first release in his Ontos Healing Sound Project is The River, which led to his GRAMMY® Nominated healing/meditation release Ocean.

Remaining the number 1 album for 3 months on Zone Music Reporter’s top 100 monthly charts, Ocean ended the year 2009 achieving ZMR’s Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Album Awards.

GRAMMY® Nominated in 2012, Gaia has a graceful vibrancy that gently renews the inner spirit. Gaia is comparable to The River & Ocean, but the innovative world music inspirations found in Gaia heighten the emotional sensations of calm, and ascertains our undeniable connection with planet earth. Many may remember in 2010, Gaia achieved Album Of The Year & Best World Album in Zone Music Reporter’s Music Awards.

Bindu is a wellness driven musical experience from the directive of four time GRAMMY® Nominee Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria, who is conceivably the most accomplished artist in the field of relaxation/meditation music today.

Fourth in his popular Healing Sound Project, the serenity of Michael’s performance on Bindu reaches the pinnacle of healing music, this time turning his focus inward on the identity of oneself, and the identity of one another.

Michael Brant DeMaria as a professional caregiver has supported others by guiding them through some of life’s most challenging situations. And so by this directive, Michael transforms his capacities as a healthcare professional into therapeutic music designed to help people manage life’s challenges.

Bindu is another exceptional new album with award winning potential, but only time will tell if Bindu will secure his fifth nomination in 2013, and if Gaia will achieve GRAMMY® Award status in 2012.

Michael’s firsthand experience as both a professional caregiver and top award nominee in 2012 has placed him in a unique position by becoming a benefactor on one hand, and a potential beneficiary on another.

Visit ontos.com homepage and sample or purchase at his music store page or Amazon.com page. Read our interview and album reviews on my page dedicated to Michael Brant DeMaria. Photo images courtesy Michael Brant DeMaria.

Planet Earth from the beginning was destined to be one of our greatest mysteries, where every life form and those yet to be discovered remain more dependent on our mysterious world rather than this blue planet would ever depend on us. Simply put, we know Earth can survive without us, and in fact our present day endeavors to save the world is a statement equivalent to saying hey everyone, let’s save ourselves!

Michael Brant DeMaria, PH.D, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, and award winning musician from Florida with a revitalizing new concept album honoring our shared heritage with the Earth by the World influences in Gaia, an innovative and exceptional brand new release in his widely acclaimed Ontos Healing Sound Project.

Gaia is essentially the achievement of over 25 years in personal and professional research by Michael into the fundamental principles of auditory healing techniques. His New Age Ambient release The River began the first origins of the Ontos Healing Sound Project while leading to the Healing & Meditation release Ocean, which remained at number 1 for 3 months on the monthly charts then having ended the year 2009 with ZMR’s Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Album Awards.

Ocean and was first conceived to help hurricane survivors begin anew and return to a more peaceful existence, but then after the 2010 Gulf Oil Disaster, Ocean became a second symbol of recovery since Michael donated his time performing concerts around the Gulf Coast Region, along with donating a portion of sales proceeds for the still ongoing wildlife recovery. I was pleased to learn Ocean is under consideration for a 2010 New Age Grammy Nomination.

Gaia is a serene excursion into the Ontos Healing Sound Project by directive of Michael Brant DeMaria. Therapeutic by a graceful vibrancy that effectively renews the inner spirit akin to The River & Ocean; the innovative world music inspirations found in Gaia heighten these emotive sensations of calm and well-being while ascertaining our undeniable relationship with planet earth.

Siyotanka is the story based narrative and soundtrack score that secured a Native American Music Award ( NAMA ) in the Native Heart category, and then lead to his Grammy Nomination for Best Native American Music Album, along with winning the Best Native American Album at year ending ZMR Music Awards for 2009.

Gaia has every hallmark for success since nearly every album produced by Michael Brant DeMaria has earned awards and respect from those in the music industry, and rightly so. Michael’s music, books, art, and poetry have acquired recognition in the United States along with widespread international acceptance in Australia, Europe, and Russia, having touched many lives with his universal message.

Third in the Ontos Healing Sound Project Gaia is based in part on the Greek Goddess Gaia, along with esteemed Earth Scientist Dr. James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis, whose research studies involving planetary exploration while at NASA led to his famous Gaia Hypothesis which interprets the Earth we share as one cohesive single living organism.

Gaia ( Title Song ) is the musical genesis of 14 tonal poetries and sound prayers traversing many nations and cultures, opening with a lighter piano melody, where World and Native American wood flutes in amended resonance on every song begin their ethnic exploration and develops into a wonderful first prelude to the ever changing stages in this moving expedition.

Anima Mundi tells of an emergent period and where Michael uses his voice as a human instrument to speak for the ancestors of our past. The surreal Alchera features Australian ( didgeridoo ) ever present wood flute instrumentals and vocal exhalations to denote the Earth as a single living entity of magnificent beauty.

Asase Yaa, with fine qualities of African rhythms and Amazonia, with South America textures are together moderate in rhythm, having unifying world flute instruments and percussions in each melody, even during the deep and mystical atmosphere of Ja’neba. The silk road to China is traversed by highly symbolic gong strikes in Xiaolin, along with Chinese flute ( Xiao ) in akin song Kuan Yin with traditional (Yueqin ) strings instrument dramatizing the orient with vibrancy.

Gentle imprints of Japan are represented by bamboo flute ( Shakuhachi ) and the gentle breeziness of wind chimes leave fine impressions in Zazen & Tarani, likewise revealing Michael’s fine transition in World music personified on Gaia, along with the notion that our enduring heritage of dependency we share with planet Earth will always be just a simple fact of life.

Visit ontos.org to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page or major music outlets. Visit michaeldemaria.com blog and read a recent in-depth interview with Michael and I, and my album reviews of his award-winning music on my pages dedicated to Michael Brant DeMaria. Picture copyright Big Stock Photo – Shutter.

Michael Brant DeMaria, PH.D, is a recent Grammy Nominee making the news lately. Likewise, our recent interview together gave many people an in-depth look into the life of a clinical psychologist, composing musician, poet, author, and dedicator of his Healing Sound Series.

Knowing Michael better now, it’s clear to me his music is an instrumental model in itself, much like his art, books, and poetry, all of which have acquired U.S. recognition, along with international acceptance in Australia, Europe, Russia, and other parts of the world.

In his psychotherapy practice, Dr. DeMaria created ONTOS (Greek for Being) to help people live more meaningful and effective lives by ambient music interwoven as relaxation therapy. I feel The Series can be perceived much like a form of cognitive conditioning, becoming an audible portion of his personal inner message by design, helping one acquire a new perspective and begin a refreshing journey on a path to wellness through calming music.

The River first began the Healing Sound Series, with Ocean his second project based on over 25 years of personal and professional research in the fundamental principals of sonic healing techniques. Ocean was conceived to help hurricane survivors much like himself, begin anew and return to a more peaceful existence.

Where our rivers are a beginning source during their natural paths across the landscape, The River by Michael Brant DeMaria is like a template to discover a new direction, if even for a single day. In addition, while help customarily arrives in the form of understanding words from this highly educated man during his medical practice, Michael’s healing music has a similar philosophy. It is where gentle curves in The River now become the stimulus equivalent for discovering a natural direction in which to travel.

Siyotanka is the third story based narrative that won a Native American Music Award in the Native Heart category, and placed him on the Grammy ballot for Best Native American Music Album, also retaining the # 1 position on ZMR Top 100 charts in December 2009. “The River is an album dedicated to all who listen from the heart” are words Michael used to analyze this first in series. More than familiar with his music, I find this a true description of his work.

Descriptive song titles likewise assist in what you will hear on The River, which relies on Native American Flutes, keyboards, piano, and indigenous percussion to form the reservoir, rising momentum, and infiltrating sunbeams heard in beginning ambient songs First Light, The River & Sunlight.

Journeying is one of the more intriguing songs to me, having a rhythmic percussion and keyboard enhanced xylophone effect that paints a serene picture.

When left to the imagination, Journeying places one in a forest habitat, residing right beside gently lapping water’s edge in a restful moment of singular, peaceful solitude.

The Rain features an indigenous flute solo while a thunderstorm’s echoing claps can be heard in the distance as if releasing every negative thought from afar.

The imagery of light water droplets dispersing transform to create a colorful sunset at dusk, leading into piano and woodwinds calming sounds in a quiet Night Fall.

Moderate keyboard sequences, along with single touches on the piano keys treble octaves make positive reflections in Moonlight & Stillness lightly glow by their conforming ambient phrasing, while indigenous woodwinds direct a more solemn indication to denote the threshold hour of Midnight.

The River’s 10 song origins instinctively find a natural pathway to The Sea where most rivers lead. In comparison to seas partially confined and bound by land, Michael’s directive of these rivers hope to point towards a new concept releasing everyone’s unlimited potential, in relation to the vast open horizons observed in our five greater oceans.

Visit ontos.org here and then sample / purchase on his music page, or CDBaby.com page. Read our interview on our page dedicated to Michael Brant DeMaria. Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com – WizData.