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Concert Review: Yanni-Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico.

International concert artist Yanni and his orchestra demonstrate once again they are a leading team of the best musicians worldwide who are prepared to light up the night sky and take the world by storm. In the case of Yanni and the orchestra’s recent live concert event at the historic El Morro fortress in Puerto Rico, the saying “take the world by storm” holds two meanings.

The Oceanside concert venue of Castillo San Felipe del Morro citadel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, presented a challenge for the team by the inclement weather, typical for the historic El Morro coastal locality. Earlier concerts were interrupted due to rainstorms, and it looked as if a miracle was the only hope for the final evening concert scheduled for Saturday night. As it turned out, a windswept atmosphere became a dramatic, silver lining for the ultimate Yanni concert experience.

Yanni-Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico turned out to be an intensely glorious concert event for fans of the international concert artist Yanni, and his sensational orchestra, who are unquestionably, a quality group of the best artists worldwide.

If you have ever had an opportunity to attend a live Yanni concert firsthand, or have watched a televised live PBS concert, then you know each and every concert performance is special, regardless of the venue or historical significance. For over 30 years, Yanni has made his presence known as a leading international concert artist with around one billion admirers. A single concert event, Yanni Live at the Acropolis is the top fundraising program for PBS, which had an astounding 500 million television viewers from 65 countries. The Taj Mahal in India and The Forbidden City in China concert are more examples where PBS viewership reached a television audience of 250 million people.

One might consider Yanni a professional music entertainer, which is true, but only half of the story. There is intensity about Yanni that is profound. One can sense his genuine love of music, and the passion in which he brings inspiration to an audience every time. There is no doubt Yanni and his orchestra love to provide the concert of a lifetime for an audience, regardless of the concert location, or a venue’s historical significance.

Solos by the best artists worldwide are a central attraction during the Yanni-Live at El Morro concert, and every concert performance. It is hard to find the right words to express the quality with each vocalist, and the orchestra. Using adjectives like sensational and spectacular only partly define the superior excellence of the entire orchestra. Every member in Yanni’s world-class orchestra gives a solo performance that can only be described as stunning!

Yanni-Live at El Morro concert opens with two songs from Yanni’s newest album, Truth Of Touch (title song), then a boldly intense song from Truth Of Touch called Vertigo, with duel improvisational solos by Yanni and keyboardist Ming Freeman. Next song on the concert set list is The End Of August, a fan favorite piano and violin piece featuring Samvel Yervinyan and complete orchestral back up.

The beautiful violin solo by Samvel Yervinyan is deeply moving, like the touching song that seems to hold new meaning, The Rain Must Fall. Yanni’s wonderful piano performance precedes a dynamic bass guitar solo by Gabriel Vivas, and breathtaking violin solo by Mary Simpson.

Felitsa is the song Yanni composed, and dedicated to his Mother Felitsa Chryssomallis. By design in composition, Felitsa is a poignant song with verses of piano and violin duet backed by full orchestra. It is a wonderful arrangement many recognize within the first few notes.

The bold refrains of Voyage mark the return of another song from Truth Of Touch, which has stayed in the Top 10 Billboard Chart since released in 2011. Composed for the Hidden City concert in China, vocalist Lauren Jelencovich gives a stunning performance in Nightingale, in time with impromptu solos from orchestra members. Backed by keyboardist Ming Freeman, along with percussionists Yoel Del Sol and Charles Adams, harpist Victor Espinola gives the instrument with origins dating back to 500 BC, a contemporary makeover by his fiery playing technique during Harp Solo.

Vocalists Lisa Lavie and Lauren Jelencovich amaze the audience with their duet and solo talents in Ode to Humanity, and during up-tempo, contemporary song Niki Nana, featuring brass specialists Dana Teboe on trombone and Jason Carder on trumpet. After a standing ovation, Yanni addresses the audience with a heartfelt narrative of the ongoing challenges facing humanity prior to the concluding, full orchestral song, One Man’s Dream.

It’s clear the Yanni team demonstrate once again they are prepared to “take the world by storm” and be victorious. Leave the firework display up to concert attendees who enthusiastically brightened up the nighttime sky by showing their admiration for music celebrity Yanni, and his select team of music professionals. The extraordinary live concert show at El Morro that almost never was to exist is soon to be available on CD and DVD for 2012.

The full orchestra name credits in alphabetical order are; Charles Adams: drums, Benedikt Brydern: violin, Jason Carder: trumpet and flugelhorn, Yoel Del Sol: percussion, Victor Espinola: harp, Ming Freeman: keyboards, James Mattos: French horn, Sarah O’Brien: cello, Mary Simpson: violin, Dana Teboe: trombone, Gabriel Vivas: bass, Samvel Yervinyan: violin, Alexander Zhiroff: cello. The vocalists are; Lauren Jelencovich, and Lisa Lavie.

The Yanni-Live at El Morro DVD and CD will be released on April 17, 2012. Visit Yanni.com to pre-order and purchase, or visit Amazon.com for the new Yanni-Live at El Morro DVD or new CD in 2012. For Yanni’s 2012 North American Concert Tour in the United States and Canada, visit the Yanni.com Concert Tour page for full concert information. Photos are courtesy Yanni-Wake Entertainment & Big Stock Photo – Mandj98.

Yanni-Live at El Morro on CD & DVD is the newest concert music for fans of the international concert artist Yanni, and his sensational orchestra, who are a select group of the best artists in the world. The new Yanni-Live at El Morro DVD and CD, his 10th televised live concert on PBS, will soon be released on April 17, 2012.

I have a pre-release concert review for Yanni-Live at El Morro in a couple of days, but I wanted to provide specific details about the newest CD & DVD. Info about what to wear to a live Yanni concert doesn’t apply of course, but I am happy to supply the song set list from the concert, and more details about this special concert event. The 11 songs on the DVD & CD are Truth of Touch, Vertigo, The End of August, The Rain Must Fall, Felitsa, Voyage, Nightingale, Harp Solo, Ode to Humanity, Niki Nana & One Man’s Dream.

Yanni-Live at El Morro DVD & CD is over an hour and a half long of Yanni’s best music. The El Morro DVD includes 11 songs total, and a 16 page color cover booklet. Plus, the DVD contains an 11 song selection option, and 2 bonus chapters.

The DVD chapters Yanni in Puerto Rico and The Storm, are special narratives by Yanni, describing Puerto Rico and challenges of performing at El Morro, due to stormy weather. You will find both chapters on the DVD are enjoyable audio visual extras.

Yanni concert soloists and instrumental performers are famous for their expertise, and recognized as a 16 member group of top artists worldwide. During my concert review I provide the names of soloist on various songs, and the names of the artists who perform with Yanni. The video below also introduces the artists who perform on the Yanni-Live at El Morro CD & DVD.

The musicians and soloists performing on Live at El Morro are; Charles Adams: drums, Benedikt Brydern: violin, Jason Carder: trumpet and flugelhorn, Yoel Del Sol: percussion, Victor Espinola: harp, Ming Freeman: keyboards, James Mattos: French horn, Sarah O’Brien: cello, Mary Simpson: violin, Dana Teboe: trombone, Gabriel Vivas: bass, Samvel Yervinyan: violin, Alexander Zhiroff: cello. The vocalists are; Lauren Jelencovich, and Lisa Lavie.

If you had the opportunity to view the televised live PBS concert, then you know the El Morro concert is special! Check back for my concert review of Yanni-Live at El Morro, plus I have a new interview with Yanni scheduled too, so check back for these exclusive publications available only at this site.

On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, interview host Lauren Sanchez will host a live Yanni webcast starting at 1pm EDT/6pm GMT. Below is the official Yanni-Live at El Morro Trailer video.

Visit Yanni.com to pre-order and purchase, or visit Amazon.com for the new Yanni-Live from El Morro DVD or his new music CD for 2012. Be sure to visit the 2012 North American Concert Tour page. Read articles and reviews on my pages for Yanni. Photo courtesy Yanni-Wake Entertainment & Yanni-India.in.

Yanni-Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico

Touring concert pianist Jim Brickman has released “The Romanza Tour” concert tour schedule for the beginning of the 2012 concert season. Knowing Jim Brickman and his team of professional concert artists are in high demand around the country, more venues are likely to be added to his current 2012 tour schedule at JimBrickman.com.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, and Jim Brickman’s prized distinction for producing some of the top romantic piano albums, “The Romanza Tour” is just a part of Jim’s year around celebration. The JimBrickman.com online store is sure to be a popular place to visit for Valentine’s Day gifts. Where else could music for Valentine’s Day gift giving be any easier!

I interviewed concert performer Jim Brickman a couple of months ago, weeks prior to the start of Jim Brickman’s 2012 concert season. Presently, my New Age Music World publication is Jim Brickman’s most current interview.

If you missed seeing this comprehensive article at his website and Facebook page, you can read Jim Brickman’s newest interview in which he talks about the vocalists and instrumentalists who make up the entire concert team for 2012, and much more. It’s the newest Jim Brickman interview publication every fan will enjoy reading.

Jim Brickman tells about his newest piano albums Romanza & All Is Calm, which are currently in the Billboard’s Top 10 New Age Charts. Below is the Jim Brickman “Romanza Concert Tour” schedule for 2012. Please note the dates shown below are subject to change. For updates and concert info visit the JimBrickman.com Tour Page. Read Jim Brickman’s most current interview. Photos and concert information courtesy JimBrickman.com.

Jim Brickman – Romanza Concert Tour Dates 2012;

February 9, 2012 – Grand Junction, CO – The Avalon Theatre

February 10, 2012 – Denver, CO – Boettcher Concert Hall

February 11, 2012 – Canton, OH – Palace Theatre

February 12, 2012 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theatre

February 14, 2012 – Madison, WI – Overture Center

February 15, 2012 – Sheboygan, WI – Weill Center

February 16, 2012 – Fargo, ND – Fargo Theatre

February 18, 2012 – Philadelphia, PA – Merriam Theater

February 24, 2012 – Logan, UT – Ellen Eccles Theatre

February 25, 2012 – Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Lewis Family Playhouse

February 26, 2012 – San Diego, CA – Copley Symphony Hall

February 27, 2012 – Malibu, CA – Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University

February 28, 2012 – Napa, CA – Napa Valley Opera House

February 29, 2012 – Spokane, WA – Bing Crosby Theatre

March 9, 2012 – Austin, TX – One World Theatre – 7:00pm

March 9, 2012 – Austin, TX – One World Theatre – 9:30pm

March 10, 2012 – Hays, KS – Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center

March 11, 2012 – Manhattan, KS – McCain Auditorium

April 18, 2012 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap

April 19, 2012 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap

April 20, 2012 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap

April 22, 2012 – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House – 3:00pm

April 22, 2012 – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House – 8:00pm

May 13, 2012 – Fairfield, CT – Quick Center for the Arts

Visit the JimBrickman.com Tour Page for updates.

Legendary artist Jon Anderson of Yes fame has released his new concert tour schedule for 2012. The North American concert tour is comprised of U.S. concert venues at present, and more concert dates are sure to be added later in 2012. The North American tour, in support of his CD album – Survival and Other Stories, is sure to be an amazing event for everyone in attendance.

Jon Anderson’s 2012 North American concert tour, publicized as “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson,” is an intimate evening with a celebrity artist who has entertained millions of people over his decades long career.

During Jon Anderson’s career as a music professional, Jon has covered popular music like progressive rock, but often shows his diversity as an artist by producing new age, adult contemporary, and Christian music releases.

Jon Anderson’s 2012 concert tour will feature some songs from his newest CD release – Survival and Other Stories. Jon’s vocal instrumental album can be described as his personal message of inspiration, with themes regarding love, life, understanding, healing and survival.

Concertgoers in 2012 can anticipate a fun evening of entertainment with select songs from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, along with favorite songs by Jon & Vangelis, and classic YES songs. For many people, 2012 is going to be a great opportunity to hear a true music legend in a more intimate concert venue!

Visit jonanderson.com for music news and full tour schedule. Read our interview in 2011 on my pages for Jon Anderson. Below is Jon Anderson’s 2012 current tour schedule. Concert tour schedules frequently change so for updates please visit Jon Anderson’s site for the most accurate tour information. Photo and tour info is courtesy jonanderson.com.

Jon Anderson – 2012 North American Concert Dates;

June 1, 2012 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant

June 3, 2012 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theatre

June 6, 2012 – Chicago, IL – Mayne Stage

June 8, 2012 – Lincolnshire, IL – Viper Alley

June 11, 2012 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door

June 12, 2012 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door

June 16, 2012 – Napa, CA – Napa Valley Opera House

June 19, 2012 – Livermore, CA – Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center

June 21, 2012 – Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz, CA

July 6, 2012 – The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano

Visit jonanderson.com for concert tour updates.

With many popular new age concerts scheduled, and popular artists who regularly perform concert tours, the chance for you to hear live new age music in 2012 is available to just about anyone who would like to attend. Many popular artists have 2012 concert tour date schedules listed at their websites.

Given the various live concerts currently scheduled in 2012, and future concert dates that will be scheduled in the days and months ahead, New Age Music World is happy to keep you informed about these live shows as they become available.

A Concert Tour Information – Live Music banner is in a right hand module. When you click on the 2012 concert tour banner, you can find your favorite artist’s concert schedule, or follow my direct links to their complete concert tour schedule. You can also find even more by reading about their newest release or interview. While I can’t keep up with every artist’s concert tour schedule, I now have a convenient place where you can check for live new age music by popular artists with concert venues in your area.

Popular artists with live concert tours include; Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Jim Brickman, Blackmore’s Night, Mannheim Steamroller, Tangerine Dream, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Yanni and Yes. Many are touring, or have updated concert information listed at their websites. Some of these popular artists may even have a live concert tour dates already scheduled within short driving distance of your city, state, or country.

Live concerts given by popular artists who are seasoned entertainers have thrilled audiences for years, so everyone in attendance can expect a fun evening of entertainment provided by experienced music professionals. If you want to stay updated on the latest live concert information for a variety of popular artists, bookmark this site. I will do what I can to add more artist’s concert tour dates, and keep you informed on the most recent concert news and tour information. Concert tour dates frequently change, so for updates please visit the artist’s website for complete concert tour dates and information.

Read my Live Concert Tour Information section or Live Concert banner in a right hand module. Big Stock Photo – dws.

International concert artist Yanni is now preparing for his 2012 North American Concert Tour, publicized as “An Evening With Yanni.” The North American concert tour that begins in Florida on April 17, 2012, has a long list of live concert venues scheduled in the countries of the United States and Canada, with more concert dates to be scheduled soon in 2012.

The North American Concert Tour in 2012 has a song playlist said to be comprised of classic concert favorites, along with songs from his original studio release Truth Of Touch. In succession to his sold out world concert tour last year, this year is destined to be another successful concert season for Yanni and his world-class orchestra of professional musicians.

If you have ever read a Yanni concert review by those who have attended a concert, it’s easy to comprehend their enthusiasm. For the millions of people who have watched him perform live, Yanni is a natural attraction, but the lineup of top artists he selects for his concerts is equally legendary. Every venue in 2012 is expected to be an extraordinary evening of entertainment from the composing mulit-instrumentalist, and his orchestra.

The North American Concert Tour will showcase the international artists and talented music professionals that complete the Yanni concert experience. If you would like to read more about the professional musicians who perform live in concert with Yanni, there is a page at Yanni.com where you can read the biography for the outstanding artists who provide vocals and instrumentals. With 35 Gold and Platinum records to date, Yanni remains one of the most popular and exciting international concert artists in the world!

Visit the Yanni.com homepage, and find out more about the orchestra artists. Below is the current concert schedule, but please note the dates shown below are subject to change. For updates and most accurate concert info check the 2012 Concert Tour Schedule at yanni.com. Mexico Dates; March 20,2012 – Arena Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico City & March 22, 2012 – Arena Monterrey, Monterrey. Photo and concert schedule courtesy Yanni – Wake Entertainment.

Yanni – North American Concert Tour Dates 2012;

Sept 30 2012 – Santiago, CL – Movistar Arena

Oct 3 2012 – Buenos Aires, AR – GEBA Stadium

Oct 7 2012 – Porto Alegre, BR – Teatro do Sesi

Oct 9 2012 – Curitiba, BR – Teatro Positivo

Oct 11 2012 – Sao Paulo, BR – Credicard Hall

Oct 13 2012 – Sao Paulo, BR – Credicard Hall

Oct 14 2012 – Sao Paulo, BR – Credicard Hall

Oct 16 2012 – Belo Horizonte, BR – Chevrolet Hall

Oct 18 2012 – Brasilia, BR – CC Ulysses Guimaraes

Oct 21 2012 – Rio de Janeiro, BR – Citibank Hall

Visit Yanni.com for complete tour schedule updates.

Legendary Yes members Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman have released a new “In Concert CD” to complement their earlier in studio version of The Living Tree release. This of course is fantastic news to millions of progressive rock music fans everywhere. You can always count on Jon and Rick for new music in a variety of genres!

The Living Tree – In Concert Part One was released earlier on Gonzo Multimedia beginning November 28th 2011. The live in concert version of The Living Tree was recorded during Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman’s successful British Tour in 2010. For a description, the cover art designed by Mark Wilkinson, is similar to the royal blue background, with yellow and orange colored tree on the studio version cover.

The partnership of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman is certainly close and enduring after having worked together over the years since 1971, during their innovative Yes album Fragile. In more recent years, they began performing live concerts together for audiences in the United Kingdom beginning in 2006.

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman’s celebrated North American Concert Tour in 2011 was the most recent live concert venue where concert attendees could hear songs from The Living Tree live, which is the number of live songs selected by Jon and Rick for their newest collection of songs on The Living Tree – In Concert Part One.

Fans of the group Yes have something to cheer about since the CD features some classic Yes songs. I did read a concert review that described their songs from Yes is a departure from what you might expect, but is still endearing as you can imagine.

The 12 tracks on the CD album are; And You & I, Living Tree (Part 1), Morning Star, Long Distance Runaround, The Garden, Living Tree (Part 2), Time and a Word, Just One Man, 23/24/11, Southside of the Sky, House of Freedom, & The Meeting.

Jon Anderson recently released his download song Give Hope & OPEN, along with another 2011 album review I wrote for his Survival & Other Stories. I also had the opportunity to host a comprehensive interview with Jon Anderson last year so you can read my interview with Jon Anderson in 2011 exclusively here at New Age Music World.

Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson together gave their press comments about The Living Tree – In Concert Part One. Below are their press comments and store locations where you can sample or purchase their new recorded live album.

Jon Anderson; “The live recordings have a unique feel, the way we perform the show, it’s as though all the songs ‘old and new’ were written just a few months ago, all very timeless.”

Rick Wakeman; “For many years Jon and I have felt it was really important to record all we do” adds Rick, “whether for general release or just personal purposes, the decision being very much that of quality. We were so happy with the way that the live music was happening that we felt this was a must to record and put out a mixture of the music, both old and new, as a record of where we are at, at this moment, and also perhaps giving a hint as to where we can go on to. Music for us is progressive in all genres, and this album is yet another stepping stone in that quest.”

Visit gonzomultimedia.co.uk or gonzomultimedia.com in the U.S. For Jon’s 2012 concert info visit JonAnderson.com and RWCC.com. Read my pages for Jon Anderson, and Rick Wakeman. Cover artwork & photos are courtesy Mark Wilkinson, Jon Anderson & Rick Wakeman.

Jeff Oster is an exceptional flugelhorn and trumpet performer in today’s new age music recording industry. Many of you may already be familiar with Jeff Oster knowing he is a strategic recording musician with GRAMMY® Award-Winning Will Ackerman, at his Windham Hill Records studio. Jeff Oster is likewise a dynamic session performer on studio album recordings with new age artists Fiona Joy Hawkins, Jamie Bonk, Matt Millecchia, Kori Linae Carothers, Shambhu, and other great musicians.

Jeff Oster has his own award-winning releases which earned him an Album of the Year award, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album award, and Best New Age Song award, but many of the releases he has collaborated on for other musicians have gone on to win album or song awards of their own.

Surrender is his newest release in 2011 featuring 11 contemporary jazz infused songs that reflect the true nature of his specialized abilities as a trumpet and flugelhorn professional. Surrender is Jeff Oster’s fourth of his three prior contemporary releases; True, Released & At Last. You will find Surrender is a new age album with an urban jazz influence that carries with it a beautiful verge of sophistication.

Jeff Oster performs live Jazz music in the song video below at the Rhythmix Cultural Center in Alameda California. Accompanying Jeff are Lars Hidde, Michael Manring, Joe Venegoni, Carl Weingarten.

Visit jeffoster.com music to sample or purchase his 2011 release Surrender, or find at his amazon.com page. Photo is courtesy Craig Merrill and jeffoster.com.

Jon Anderson of Yes fame is the top music celebrity we are pleased to present here at NewAgeMusicWorld.com & NewAgeMusic.nu. With a successful music career spanning five decades, John Anderson’s presence as a vocalist and instrumentalist has made an admirable impression on millions of people over the course of many years as a musician.

This can be said regarding his lengthy tenure as lead singer for the Progressive Rock band Yes, during his numerous collaborations with other celebrated artists, and while performing throughout the years as a popular solo artist.

Jon Anderson’s influence and starring role in music over five decades is legendary. It is estimated over 38 million records were sold during his years as the dynamic lead vocalist with Yes, and throughout his successful solo career.

Today, Jon Anderson is preparing for his North American concert tour in support of his new CD release; Survival & Other Stories.

Knowing Jon Anderson’s significant influence in music it is our privilege to present this interview so that everyone can find out more about a fascinating artist with a long and enduring music legacy.

Review publicist John Olsen recently had the opportunity to interview the personable Jon Anderson prior to his tour in 2011. We are pleased to present their conversation to Jon’s fans and our site visitors.

Jon Anderson interview April 2011:

John P. Olsen: Thank You for agreeing to this interview on short notice Jon. We realize our interview request arrives at a time interval just days prior to your opening concert, so we do appreciate your enthusiasm for this interview, and your willingness to take time out of your schedule for us.

You are beginning your concert tour publicized as “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson.” Would you like to give some insight to concert goers about the atmosphere and variety of music they will experience during an evening with Jon Anderson?

Jon Anderson: Well, it’s really like being in my ‘front room’. I’m singing Yes songs as I originally wrote them, singing ‘Jon and Vangelis’ songs, telling stories, how songs came together, the meaning behind the songs, talking about my life so far, and doing new songs from my new album.

JP Olsen: Your new release Survival & Other Stories is due to be released April 2011. Can you provide some details about your new release, and how Survival & Other Stories varies from other albums you have produced?

Jon Anderson: This album is #1 of 3 albums I will release over the next 2 years. I put an ad on my website saying ‘musicians wanted’… I was finding it hard to get the guys in Yes interested in using the Internet to write songs, I put the ad out there, I got so many people sending me their musical ideas, it was like this musical ‘door’ had opened, and I found myself writing so many great ideas, with some very talented peeps…. I still do this every week. Music is endless.

JP Olsen: You have collaborated with other celebrated musicians like yourself, including Vangelis, Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Mike Oldfield and a host of other talents. Every artist has their own strengths, along with their individual viewpoint about an album production, so when collaborating with other musicians, how does a “meeting of minds” customarily transpire during album composition and production?

Jon Anderson: It’s very simple really, it has to be Fun, an element of Trust and a feeling of Adventure, I sing melodies and find lyrics to the music I hear, it’s a very instant thing, and if it’s working great, we tend to trust ourselves, and let the music take us on the journey.

JP Olsen: Recently you teamed up with Mike Oldfield for a Kanye West sample track titled Dark Fantasy, which topped the Billboard chart as the #1 album in the country. In addition you just produced a great album with colleague and Yes member Rick Wakeman titled The Living Tree. Do you find teaming up with other esteemed musicians just as rewarding as your solo projects?

Jon Anderson: I feel thankful to have these connections, they don’t come all the time, they are rewarding on so many levels. I’m singing on Jonathan Elias’s new ‘Prayer Cycle’ along with Sting and others, released June 1st, that song I sang was right in the middle of my illness in 2008, it was such a gift to sing with that music, very inspiring.

JP Olsen: To me and many others, the voice of Jon Anderson is one of the easiest to identify in an ocean of vocalists. Did you have professional vocal instruction, and what point in your life did you choose to pursue music as a career?

Jon Anderson: No, I just sang since I was a kid, sang as I went to school, sang when I worked on the farm, and just kept singing about the joys of life.

JP Olsen: Early in your career you were leader of Yes, a phenomenal and popular Rock group, yet you also produced music in less mainstream genres, including New Age and Contemporary Christian music. What is the reason you performed in respected but less mainstream music?

What 2011 concert goers can expect to hear during “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson” – Well, it’s really like being in my ‘front room’. I’m singing Yes songs as I originally wrote them, singing ‘Jon and Vangelis’ songs, telling stories, how songs came together, the meaning behind the songs, talking about my life so far, and doing new songs from my new album. Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson: Music takes on your Sacred Journey, I have a deep belief that we are changing for the better again, and music can be a sign post to what is happening around the world, people all over the world ‘love’ music, so why not enjoy being a part of the ‘new age’….

JP Olsen: You wrote the song lyrics during your tenure in Yes, and likewise during your solo career. Your lyrical phrasing is beautifully expressive, and positive in nature. Do you have a lyrical theme or message you want to convey to your audience?

Jon Anderson: Like most people I am seeking for Truth to Life, and singing about this helps me, I live to understand the great mystery, and how we are part of Mother Earth, and ‘why’…. so lyrics dance around me every day, I do feel honored to be a musician.

JP Olsen: During the early Yes years some music critics downplayed the influence Yes was achieving as a music act. I believe it would be accurate to say many people didn’t realize at the time that Jon Anderson, and a handful of others, were essentially inventing a music genre we identify today as Progressive Rock. Did you and other band members recognize at the time you were making such a profound impact in the music scene?

Jon Anderson: We hoped that Yes Music would stand the test of time, and it seems to have done, but 40 years, wow!! I meet so many young people who have just bought ‘Close to the Edge’, they find out how exciting the music is, and they will go on the same musical journey as I did, it’s amazing to realize this.

JP Olsen: Your contribution as lead vocalist was an important factor, but why do you believe Yes as a Progressive Rock group so successful?

Jon Anderson: I worked hard within the Yes band as the musical director of sorts. I was surrounded by so much talent, I would come up with plans for the music, sing ideas constantly, and the Music we created is unique. I never dreamed it could become so wonderful, I kept on coming up with ideas, and Yes Music will last forever, Weeeeeee!

Jon’s reply on the major influence Jon Anderson and progressive rock group Yes had in music; We hoped that Yes Music would stand the test of time, and it seems to have done, but 40 years, wow!! I meet so many young people who have just bought ‘Close to the Edge’, they find out how exciting the music is, and they will go on the same musical journey as I did, it’s amazing to realize this. Jon Anderson

JP Olsen: You have been a very successful vocalist and instrumentalist practically your whole life. Do you believe your life achievements are due to your musical talents, hard work, a combination of both, or do you believe in destiny?

Jon Anderson: Practice, Practice. Well I just have fun playing every day, I sing every day, think about the ‘great work’ to be done, as for destiny, hummm, not sure what that means, I believe that I will be part of a great Awakening.

JP Olsen: What do you feel is your greatest achievement or most rewarding experience to date Jon?

Jon Anderson: Still being around, feeling valid in this world music scene, not getting carried away with fame. Singing with the school of rock and youth orchestras, and I enjoying being around ‘young’ musicians while helping to create some very good and interesting music to date.

JP Olsen: Earlier I read on your Facebook page you rarely do endorsements for advocacy groups but are involved with 600million.org, a non-profit organization created by the co-founder of PETA, Alex Pacheco. Would you like to tell us about your contribution and charitable endorsement for the animal protection advocacy group 600million.org?

Jon Anderson: My youngest Daughter Jade introduced me to the project earlier this year. I was really sad about the plight of our fellow creatures, dogs are truly man’s best friend, and they can be so healing and funny to be around, so to see so many millions in distress, made me want to help in any way I could, so I made a short video to help.

JP Olsen: Thank You again for spending time with us by way of our interview Jon. We look forward to the day when we can follow-up by another interview together. In closing, do you have anything you would like to express to the people who will be attending a concert this year, or the many fans that have supported you throughout your career?

Jon Anderson: Have fun!!! And thanks for all the support, and enjoyment I have at the concerts I do, I cannot thank you enough…. Cheers!!!

Again everyone, Jon Anderson is beginning his 2011 North American concert tour billed as “An Evening With Jon Anderson.” We wish Jon and every concert goer an enjoyable evening together during a live concert event that is sure to be memorable.

Visit the jonanderson.com homepage for news and concert tour information. Read our pages dedicated to Jon Anderson.

Concert photos courtesy Robin Kauffman & jonanderson.com.

Matthew Schoening is a professional cellist who caught my attention recently.  I primarily became interested since his current release Elements (Live and Uncut) is presented as a solo concert recorded in front of a live audience.  As it turned out the initial reason I became curious was less important to me after I listened to his Avant-Garde electric cello concert in front of a rather enthusiastic audience.

During his live concerts Matthew apparently does a touch of magic too since this one man cello concert ended up sounding more like a full orchestra of string instruments.  In addition to cello, fine resonances of acoustic guitar, violin, double bass, and a variety of percussion rhythms are expertly produced.  I also found his tenacity for perfecting sounds on electric cello are equal to his fine technical skills of live looping and layering in real time.  Because no other musicians are present during concerts, and his current release Elements was live and uncut, it greatly increased my admiration for Matthew Schoening.

Matthew is from a family of music professionals and enjoys free reign to pursue his musical career, which has led to performance opportunities of several prestigious fundraising events.  One significant fundraiser given with Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight was a charitable benefit designed to raise money for relief work in Sierra Leon, West Africa.

Elements by Matthew Schoening is his third Solo Cello release, and the earlier first and second albums; Solo Electric Cello & The Art of Live Looping are like Elements by the Avant-Garde style of cello Instrumentals.  In fact, there is also a Cinematic influence in his work I feel shouldn’t be overlooked.  Leap of Faith from The Art of Live Looping and then songs Air & Fire from Elements gave me this impression the most.

Elements (Live and Uncut) is a stage session before a live audience of 75 people, and it does create interest by an inherent uncut and recorded in one session format.  The original electric cello innovations on Elements are 5 songs titled Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Spirit, with clapping only at the beginning and end of the 45 minute session.

Matthew performs live concerts and he tours upon request, so if you have a group function or get-together coming up, find out the details at his website.  The warm tonal setting and enhanced rhythms of his solo electric cello music is perfect for a wide variety of festive social occasions.  In fact I would be interested to hear your group as the next enthusiastic attendees during a live concert venue with Matthew Schoening.

Visit soloelectriccello.com to sample / purchase or by going to his Amazon.com page.

Portrait & cover photos courtesy Greg Gorman.  

The recent article by B.T. Fasmer about the upcoming Yanni concert scheduled for May 13 2009 in New York led to some great discussion with a good friend of mine about the past Live Yanni Tribute Concert and programing which first aired on PBS television stations in 1997.

Perhaps many of our NewAgeMusicWorld.Com & NewAgeMusic.nu visitors can recall watching this past televised concert also since it is then estimated that well over a half billion people around the world over are familiar with, or have watched the esteemed musician Yanni. Our discussion about Yanni included the extremely talented musicians who accompany by their masterful instrumentals and perform solos during his many scheduled concert tours.

Venezuelan born Pedro Eustache specializes in ethnic flutes and woodwinds section, having two albums and a multitude of appearances with other renown musicians and composers worldwide, also playing a variety of instruments in many popular movie soundtracks. Pedro also regularly toured with Yanni for 10 years. Both artists are diverse and relentless in their pursuit of perfection in their chosen field of music and well worth a visit to their individual websites to learn more about some of the past and present day extraordinary musicians who make up the major concert headliner everyone recognizes as Yanni.

The official Yanni.com website is also a great place to visit for news and the past but memorable Tribute Concert Album just mentioned, along with all discography and a vast number of live concert tour dates presently available in the United States.

                          Yanni performance live at the Taj Mahal during the Tribute Concert