New Age Music World

Archive for the ‘Music News’ Category

International music celebrity Yanni has millions of fans worldwide, but what some visitors may not know is that in addition to the official Yanni.com website, there are a large number of international Affiliate Yanni websites offering exclusive news and original content about Yanni and his orchestra.  In addition to other responsibilities, international affiliates play an important role in Yanni’s world tours by orchestrating concert pre-show social events with fans.

Yanni – India is an international affiliate website offering official Yanni news and information, along with their perspective and exclusive content on one of the world’s favorite international concert artist. Recently I had the privilege of being introduced to some of the dedicated team members with India’s international affiliate website.

The people at Yanni – India are a great group of people, which was my earlier experience with the public relations representatives at Yanni – Wake Entertainment. Knowing the entire organization is an outstanding group is something every affiliate team member can be proud of, plus it speaks volumes about the quality and dedication of the people Yanni selects as his domestic and international representatives.

This international affiliate serves Yanni’s East Indian fans, along with all international website guests. Their website text is written in English, plus they provide a built-in Google dialect translator for many other languages.

Featuring official news, press releases, and exclusive content, Yanni – India provides streaming music, and website links to the world-class musicians in the orchestra. They also post a bulletin of official sites, and provides an exclusive presentation of Yanni’s extraordinary 1997 Tribute Concert.

The Tribute Concert at the Taj Mahal was aired on U.S. Public Broadcast Stations (PBS) nationwide. It was the first televised concert where I saw a live Yanni performance, and instantly became a fan myself. There is a pretty good chance the Tribute Concert in India was the same concert venue where you, and Yanni – India Team Members became fans too.

The Taj Mahal concert venue featured a variety of world-class musicians who provided outstanding instrumentals. I thought it was one of his most memorable concert events ever! Years ago I wrote a concert review article about the Tribute Concert featuring violinist Karen Briggs and woodwind specialist Pedro Eustache, both of whom performed amazing solos during the song Renegade.

The solos by Karen Briggs and Pedro Eustache during the song Renegade were delivered with increasingly more intricate and complex solo rhythms, which is what I remember most. While a lot has changed since then, some things remain the same.

Yanni is now preparing for his 2012 North American Concert Tour. Publicized as “An Evening With Yanni,” the 2012 tour covers a large number of live concert venues in the United States and Canada. Each exclusive concert will be equally extraordinary, like earlier events described by concert attendees who have written a concert review about the legendary Yanni and his orchestra.

There are over 23 International Affiliate Yanni sites, each providing exclusive news, information, and original content. Presently there are international affiliates from the countries; Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Haiti, India, Iran, Italia, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russian, and Turkey. Many countries listed have multiple international affiliate sites supporting Yanni.

The Yanni Community Fan Club is an interactive social outlet with special offers, exclusive content, and newsletter upon membership, including participation in All Access: Yanni On Tour, previews and contests. Community Fan Club members can participate in forums, create their own blog with profile, and meet Yanni fans worldwide.

The Yanni Street Team is designed for those who have a presence on the internet. Street Team members are given exclusive information and assignments like sharing exclusive content on blogs and social network pages in their community.

Yanni – Wake Entertainment really delivers by constantly finding new ways to provide a fun and friendly environment for fans who want to share the excitement and get involved. The International Affiliate sites, Community Fan Club, and Street Team are just a part of the fan friendly programs that people can participate in at Yanni.com.

The dedicated people at Yanni – India and their area of expertise are; Webmaster and Moderator: Prajit Nair, Graphics, Design and Art: Akriti, Copywriter: Jerin George, Video Editing and Flash Graphics: Prajit Nair.

Visit the Yanni.com homepage and find news and 2012 Concert Tour information, and International Affiliates pages. For albums, DVD concert videos, gifts and merchandise visit the Yanni Store. Find out more about the Yanni Street Team, and free online Community Fan Club which offers pre-sale concert tickets, plus special offers for members. Visit the Yanni-India.in homepage and archive collection for Yanni in India.

Photos are courtesy Yanni.com & Yanni-India.in. Big Stock Photo – Taj Mahal – pius99.

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 Information page. When you visit again, check the Live Concert Tours banner in my right hand module. Big Stock Photo – dws.

Al Conti is a nominee for the 54th GRAMMY® Awards in the Best New Age Album category. Al Conti is one of five new age artist nominees, one of which will be selected for top album honors next year in 2012 when televised live on CBS in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Northern Seas is Al Conti’s GRAMMY® nominated album that highlights his abilities as a top composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist who has produced a total of four exceptional story based releases so far. Plus, I read at the alconti.net website there is new Al Conti album currently in the works, so I will bring you more about Al Conti’s new album soon.

The storyline on Northern Seas chronicles the ancestral homeland and Nordic heritage of Scandinavia in a manner you will find glorious. The rich instrumental landscape captures the imagination by 10 songs in a fascinating mixture of new age and world fusion music, with a Celtic tonal expression on several songs.

I have an interview with Al Conti in the near future. In my interview, I plan to cover a variety of interesting topics about Al Conti, including his GRAMMY® nominated new age album Northern Seas, along with his story based album compositions that have earned him the reputation of top new age artist. Pending my Al Conti interview publication, below is his Northern Seas high definition promotional song video for Veil of Mist.

Visit alconti.net to sample or purchase at his music store. Photos are courtesy alconti.net.

The 54th GRAMMY® Award Nominations for the New Age Music genre category were recently announced several days ago during a live presentation and concert at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The televised CBS broadcast which aired on November 30, 2011 began the official countdown to announce the 54th GRAMMY® Awards for 2012.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards will be televised live on CBS from Staples Center, in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The CBS Television Network will air the live awards program at 8 p.m. ET/PT. I know two of the five artists nominated this year, and have written album reviews for Al Conti’s Northern Seas album and Michael Brant DeMaria’s Gaia album, if you would like to read my album reviews of two nominated releases for 2012. I published an interview with Michael Brant DeMaria in January of 2011, and there is an earlier Michael Brant DeMaria interview in 2009, for more about Michael.

The GRAMMY® Nominees for Best New Age Album are shown below alphabetically. I have sampled all five albums and can say they are all great releases. You can sample or purchase each GRAMMY® Nominated album by clicking on the direct links to each CD or MP3 album at Amazon.com.

54th GRAMMY® Nominees for Best New Age Album;

1. Northern Seas by Al Conti - Shadowside Music. Sample Northern Seas at Amazon.

2. Gaia by Michael Brant DeMaria – Ontos Music. Sample Gaia at Amazon.

3. Wind, Rock, Sea & Flame by Peter Kater – Point Of Light Records. Sample Wind, Rock, Sea & Flame at Amazon.

4. What’s It All About by Pat Metheny – Nonesuch. Sample What’s It All About at Amazon.

5. Instrumental Oasis – Vol. 6 by Alejandro Zamora – Z-Records. Sample Instrumental Oasis – Vol. 6 at Amazon.

 Read more about the 54th GRAMMY® Awards at Grammy.com and here is the complete list of GRAMMY® Nominees.

Photos are courtesy of their respective artists & grammy.com.

Jon Anderson’s new song Open is a download available for purchase at iTunes. For many like me the earlier pre-release publicity alone was a reason for excitement and anticipation. I am pleased to say everything you have read about Jon Anderson’s download song Open is correct.

After sampling Jon Anderson’s Open at iTunes, I can tell you Jon has indeed created a masterpiece! For those who haven’t heard, I can report it is true Jon has returned to his Yes origins, but in a much more dramatic way!

And the good news from what Anderson has said is this first song is only the beginning, stating he will produce more dynamic music with full orchestrations in the future so check back with me now and then. I will let everyone know the minute I hear the news about a new release.

There is more news about Jon I can tell you now since he has requested Christophe Lebled collaborate on a new project in 2012. Jon and Christophe Lebled’s new project album is a re-creation of the entire LP Olias of Sunhillow – Live in 2012. The first Olias of Sunhillow album as many of you may know was originally Jon Anderson’s first solo album where he sang and played every instrument completely by himself.

Open is an epic 21 minute opus structured in the progressive works of classic Yes songs like Close To The Edge, Gates of Delirium, Revealing, & Awaken. There are already some song reviews of Open at iTunes, and the reviews from Jon’s fans and Yes fans are very positive. In their reviews of Open, comments like: “magnificent, refreshing, excellent and compelling” are words used to describe Jon’s newest release. In all honesty I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

Open features the eclectic vocals of Jon Anderson united with a full brass section, strings and full percussion orchestrations by Stefan Podell. Together this song in four continuous movements, delivers a powerful proclamation of peace, love, light and freedom. The beautifully conveyed piece with dynamic orchestrations will leave you breathless.

Jon Anderson is on tour in the U.S. and Canada with early Yes member Rick Wakeman. The legendary Yes duo Anderson and Wakeman are touring in support of their release The Living Tree. Jon is presently touring solo too, with concert dates scheduled in 2011 & 2012. In December 2011 Jon will be performing select solo concerts in South America.

It’s the progressive nature of Jon Anderson’s music that keeps his solo career and Yes fans, wanting more. And more is what we will get. From what Anderson has said in press releases, more dynamic music like Open is what we can anticipate from this highly prolific artist.

Visit jonanderson.com for news and his solo tour schedule and 2011 tour with Rick Wakeman. Purchase Open at iTunes. Read my Jon Anderson interview in 2011 and my Survival & Other Stories album review on my Jon Anderson pages.

Photos are courtesy jonanderson.com.

New Age Music World is proud to be a helpful source of information for our ever increasing number of website visitors searching for top quality music. The artists in the New Age music industry have produced some exceptional new album releases in 2011. This article is designed to assist my visitors find new age artists and their newest 2011 album release.

The multitude of outstanding musical talents available today is apparent to me on a daily basis since I am regularly in contact with an ever increasing number of independent musicians, promoters and producers requesting I interview an artist or write and publish a review for their newest release. And the quality of new releases in 2011 truly has been outstanding!

The challenge in my role as a review publicist and interview host is not having enough time to fulfill the many requests for an interview or album review even though I feel my site visitors would be interested in a musicians newest release.

In an effort to offer some assistance to the musicians and provide an introduction for my visitors, there is a Press Review Tab located right below the header at Music World, and a press review icon located in the right hand module.

There you will find the new releases album artwork with a click on link to the artist’s website. You are invited to visit each musician’s website to find out more about them and to sample or purchase their newest release. More 2011 album titles will be added as they arrive so more new music will be featured here at Music World.

If you have just found my music blog, you can visit the Music World Homepage to read My Interviews with some of the top artist defining the music world today. You will find I publish reviews, interviews, and articles on a regular basis.

Here is where you can locate my Album Reviews in 2011, Reviews in 2010, Reviews in 2009 and Music Videos.

Visit my Norwegian friend and colleague B.T. Fasmer at the music site he hosts; NewAgeMusic.nu.

  Music World host John P. Olsen

Secret Garden enthusiasts have a new release coming called Winter Poem. For those who stay current with Secret Garden news, it was during my recent interview with Fionnuala Sherry when she gave the release date of November 7th 2011 for their new album Winter Poem.

The Winter Poem album cover has yet to be unveiled but this may be days from now knowing the release is about a month away. With Rolf Lovland and Fionnuala Sherry’s Secret Garden’s Inside I’m Singing from 2009 being their most current release, and a fine album, excitement is growing for Winter Poem when released November 7, 2011.

Fionnuala Sherry’s new solo album Songs From Before appears to be receiving a lot of attention too. This is Fionnuala’s contemporary instrumental album that is a revision on many of Ireland’s most beloved melodies which also contains some unreleased material too. Echoes Radio chose Songs From Before as Echoes Top 10 for June, CD of the Month in July, and then number 3 album in the top 25 in August at Echoes.

Secret Garden’s Eurovision Song Contest award was also a broadcast television documentary on RTE (Irish National TV) called “A Little Bit Eurovision” plus Fionnuala will be a special guest to perform live with Westlife on September 10, 2011. Westlife as you may know had won the UK Record of the Year Award on Top of the Pops with the Secret Garden song You Raise Me Up. With all of the current attention given to Secret Garden and Fionnuala Sherry, Winter Poem already sounds promising.

Visit secretgarden.no and fionnualasherry.com. Read my interview with Fionnuala Sherry. Photo is courtesy secretgarden.no.

Yanni and his orchestra have released their concert tour schedule that begins again later this year in September 2011. The United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama, were the host locations earlier in the year for Yanni concerts, plus in addition to the current concert schedule, there are plans currently forming for a series of Yanni concerts in Eastern Europe that will carry on to Asia and Latin America later in the year.

Shown below is Yanni and his orchestra’s current concert schedule. Visit yanni.com for news and concert information. Keep up with current news by signing up for their newsletter and visit his FaceBook page. Find more on our Yanni pages.

Yanni Concert Tour Dates 2011;

September 14, 2011 – Bucharest, Romania

September 16, 2011 – Budapest, Hungary

September 18, 2011 – Istanbul, Turkey

September 23, 2011 – Yerevan, Armenia

October 1, 2011 – Beijing, China

October 2, 2011 – Beijing, China

October 4, 2011 – Shanghai, China

October 7, 2011 – Guangzhou, China

October 10, 2011 – Chengdu, China

October 14, 2011 – Seoul, South Korea

October 26, 2011 – Muscat, Oman

Photo is courtesy yanni.com.

Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman, both legendary musicians and former lead members of the Progressive Rock group Yes, have announced their current tour dates later this year in 2011. If you are a regular visitor to Music World then you have already read Jon Anderson is currently making appearances during his 2011 Summer Concert tour in support of his brand new release Survival & Other Stories.

Rick Wakeman has likewise been performing during his concert tour earlier this year in the UK. In addition to Rick Wakeman’s 2011 UK concert tour he has also teamed up in a recent collaboration with Jon Anderson on their most current release The Living Tree.

In regards to the Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman concert tour, it’s anybody’s guess what the song lineup is at this point, but concert goers may hear classic song favorites like Starship Trooper & Owner of a Lonely Heart, and a number of songs from their current album together The Living Tree.

The new Yes album – Fly From Here is another brand new release and a popular album with Yes fans, who have waited ten years for another album. After ending their U.S. Summer Concert Tour, Yes will begin their European Fall Tour in November 2011.

The year 2011 turned out to be a rock solid year of concert tours and brand new music for fans of Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Yes, and Progressive Rock music enthusiasts everywhere!

Visit the official websites; jonanderson.com and Rick Wakeman at rwcc.com. Visit Yes at yesworld.com.

Tour info is courtesy jonanderson.com.

Jon Anderson & Rick Wakeman Tour Dates 2011;

October 19 2011 – Potawatomi Casino Milwaukee, WI

October 22 2011 – Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead Munhall, PA

October 23 2011 – Lisner Auditorium Washington DC

October 24 2011 – Concert Hall New York, NY

October 26 2011 – Kleinhans Music Hall Buffalo, NY

October 27 2011 – The Palace Theatre Albany, NY

October 29 2011 – Tropicana Casino Resort Atlantic City, NJ

October 30 2011 – Temple Performing Arts Center Philadelphia, PA

November 1 2011 – Capitol Center for the Arts Concord, NH

November 2 2011 – The Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT

November 4 2011 – Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ

November 5 2011 – Sherman Theatre Stroudsberg, PA

November 6 2011 – Theatre at Westbury Westbury, NY

November 8 2011 – Hanover Theatre Worcester, MA

November 10 2011 – Grande Theatre du Quebec Quebec City, QC Canada

November 12 2011 – St. Denis Theatre Montreal, QC Canada

The Independent Music Awards or (IMAs) have released the list of category award winning musicians during their tenth annual awards competition. During the prestigious IMA annual awards ceremonies, which represent and honor international Indie artists, publicity and recognition for the musicians involved reaches an estimated 50 million people.

David Clavijo from Seville, Spain won the Best New Age Song category with his song titled Promises from his current New Age, World Music, and Chill Out album release The Landing (Special Edition). David Clavijo may have recognized he had produced an award winning album since earlier in the year he won fourth in the NewAgeMusic.nu Best New Age Album of 2010 awards.

The Independent Music Awards are determined by a two part tier of a judging panel and a voting process by fans and visitors who rate the nominees at The Vox Populi Jukebox. The nominated artists are then selected by this process to produce an award winner in each category. Below is the impressive song video for Promises, which shows the Cinematic aspects of his release. Congratulations David Clavijo!

Visit davidclavijo.com to sample or purchase. Find more at independentmusicawards.com. Visit our page for David Clavijo.

David Clavijo from Seville Spain seems to have a natural inclination of what multi influential New Age music is all about. I felt his performance on acoustic and electric guitars along with piano and keyboards are a fine line balance that blend together quite nicely by having these diverse instrumental strengths.

Tangerine Dream will be a headlining band performing at the annual Moogfest 2011 during their October visit to the United States. The music festival lineup will have scenic venues in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of North Carolina.

The annual 2011 Moogfest which celebrates Bob Moog, the inventor of the innovative electronic Moog synthesizer that bears his name, takes place in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

This special weekend concert event scheduled for October 28, 29 & 30 will feature over 60 exceptional artists, most of who are recognized internationally. The weekend passes for Moogfest 2011 are sold exclusively at moogfest.com.

The Moogfest event highlights contemporary and electronic music pioneers who have led the way to make their own synthesizer music innovations past and present. Citywide venues include the Asheville Civic Center Arena, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, and the world-renown Orange Peel Social & Pleasure Club.

Visit tangerinedream-music.com for the latest news. For concert info and weekend passes visit moogfest.com.

Music legend Jon Anderson of Yes fame, has just announced concert dates in his 2011 concert tour in North America, beginning April 23rd, 2011 at Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Massachusetts.  This is your chance to hear a true music legend!

Publicized as “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson,” the 2011 concert tour is comprised of many U.S. cities, along with several concert venues in Canada and Mexico.  This tour in support of his new CD release – Survival and Other Stories, is sure to be an extraordinary event for every person in attendance!

The 2011 Spring tour “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson” will showcase an exciting mixture of cultural material from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic Yes songs, along with new compositions from his soon to be released CD, Survival and Other Stories.

Jon’s new CD release is said to have a positive message of inspiration, with basic down to earth themes regarding love, life, understanding, healing and survival.

To me, it sounds like a personal message of inspiration you will want to hear for yourself!  Below is your need to know concert tour information.

Visit jonanderson.com for music news and more tour info.  You can follow Jon on his FaceBook & Twitter pages.  Photos and tour info courtesy jonanderson.com.

An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson 2011 Concert Tour dates;

4/23/2011 – Somerville Theatre – Somerville, MA

4/26/2011 – Havana New Hope – New Hope, PA

4/28/2011 – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT

4/30/2011 – B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill – New York, NY

5/02/2011 – Musikfest Cafe ArtsQuest Center at Steel Slacks – Bethlehem, PA

5/04/2011 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA

5/06/2011 – Princeton University – McCarter Theatre – Princeton, NJ

5/07/2011 – New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Victoria Theatre – Newark, NJ

5/09/2011 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD

5/11/2011 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD

5/13/2011 – The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performing Center – Plymouth, NH

5/15/2011 – Bates College Olin Arts Center – Concert Hall – Lewiston, ME

5/18/2011 – Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH

5/19/2011 – Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH

5/21/2011 – Woodstock Town Hall Theatre – Woodstock, VT

5/25/2011 – Ellsworth Grand Auditorium – Ellsworth , ME

7/09/2011 – 07/10/2011 – Vancouver Island MusicFest Exhibition Grounds – Courtenay BC, Canada

7/12/2011 – The Triple Door – Seattle, WA

8/05/2011 – The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL

8/07/2011 – Festival of Friends – Jerseyville, ON Canada

11/25/2011 – Riviera Maya Festival Mamita’s Beach Club – Playa Del Carmen Q. Roo, Mexico

Japan Relief Fund mp3 by the Pangean Orchestra.

The Pangean Orchestra and CD Baby are teaming up to raise money for disaster relief in Japan.  Millions of people overwhelmed by the earthquakes and resulting tsunami remain desperately in need of our assistance, and people of goodwill are responding.  With the ongoing crisis in Japan, help often arrives in many forms and in this case, total revenue for disaster relief in the form of free music is a trusted source for your donation.

The Red Cross Earthquake/Pacific Tsunami Fund will receive 100% of the direct proceeds from sales of a free mp3 single released by the Pangean Orchestra, which is based in Phoenix, Arizona.  The director of the Pangean Orchestra is music professional Colin O’Donohoe, who leads the group of instrumentalist from nearly every continent.

Tinsagu Nu Hana – Japan Relief is the name of their free mp3 music.  The sample I listened to on CD Baby is sung in Japanese by a tenor vocalist, and is comprised of upbeat contemporary instrumentals.  Most importantly, your music purchase will make you feel great knowing you helped provide 100% direct funds for people who need our assistance during this ongoing crisis.  Thanks to the Pangean Orchestra and CD Baby.

Visit CDBaby.com to sample/make your music purchase donation, and then visit the pangeanorchestra.com and donohoemusic.com.  You can also read the interview I had with Colin on our pages dedicated to Colin O’Donohoe.

If you missed the Live Chat-Interview webcast on March 16, 2011 with Yanni and interview host Lauren Sanchez, you now have a chance to view a re-broadcast of this live event shared with thousands of people around the world.  In one of Yanni’s more personal interviews, Lauren read questions submitted earlier, and questions turned in during the live webcast.  Award-winning news anchor and media personality Lauren Sanchez was well prepared by some great questions of her own.

It turned out to be a pleasant surprise when Lauren began with a lead-in question about review publicists and music critics who have been less than positive about his contemporary instrumental music during earlier years.  She then read a more positive quote I wrote from my recent Truth Of Touch review.  It was also a nice compliment when she provided credits to me and New Age Music World during the broadcast.

For over an hour and a half, webcast viewers were able to participate during a wide range of personal questions covering many topics.  Some of the topics in this interview styled chat session included; questions regarding how and why this award-winning musician began a career in music, and the process in which he selects the exceptional musicians who accompany him during concerts, tours, and studio albums.

There were dozens of highly personal questions, and Yanni did touch upon a political question concerning Egypt, along with several other present day news topics.  Some of the countries in which people turned in questions during the live broadcast include Bolivia, Canada, China, Egypt, Greece, Italy, and the United States.

The Yanni-Wake team – responsible for the livestream.com broadcast, again prove they are prepared to go the distance for his fans by creating a live conversation that is indeed memorable and sure to please.  Recognized for his close connection with his global fan base, Yanni is open, genuine and sincere during his responses as anticipated, and remains optimistic about his music career in the years ahead.  It is a fun and enjoyable conversation with the man we identify simply as Yanni.

View the Live Chat broadcast at livestream.com or by Yanni banner shown on the right.  Visit yanni.com for news and concert dates and our pages dedicated to Yanni.  Below is my Truth Of Touch album review quote Lauren Sanchez read during the livestream broadcast.

Yanni is conceivably the greatest influential musician of our time.  While his exceptional abilities as a gifted composer and keyboardist by themselves are a valid testament to his universal appeal, when you factor in the remarkable musicians and vocalists by his side and personal “One World, One People“ vision, the collective inspiration pay tribute to a universal and heartfelt music experience.

The Zone Music Reporter Music Award Winners for 2010 were announced on March 13, 2011.  Many of the artists we write album reviews about or interview are category qualifiers, nominees, or chosen award winners in specific ZMR music categories.

In our role as review publicists and interview hosts we often get to know many of the award candidates personally, so it is always good news when we hear exceptional artists get the recognition they deserve.

In fact, many New Age music qualifiers, nominees, and award winning musicians were recognized in our own NewAgeMusic.nu Best Album Awards in 2010.  We take pride ourselves when writing about these commendable individuals, and we look forward to writing about many more top New Age music artists by a review or interview in the days ahead.

The ZMR Award Winning Musicians we feature are shown in the cover art shown below.  You can click on the cover arts to visit the dedicated page for each artist featured on our pages.  The award finalists we didn’t have a chance to write about this year are also included below.  B.T. Fasmer and I would like to congratulate everyone!  Place cursor over album cover art for award status.

Best New Artist – Another Place and Time by Heidi Anne Breyer. 

Best Instrumental Album – Piano – Another Place and Time by Heidi Anne Breyer.

Best Vocal Album – The Grace of the Green Leaf by Lis Addison.

Best Neo – Classical Album – NightBook by Ludovico Einaudi

Best Electronic Album – The Crossing by David Helpling & Jon Jenkins.

Best Ambient Album – The Crossing by David Helpling & Jon Jenkins.

Best Cover Art – The Crossing by David Helpling & Jon Jenkins.

Visit zonemusicreporter.com to see the ZMR Music Award Winners for 2010.

Read B.T. Fasmer’s article; NewAgeMusic.nu Best Album Award Winners in 2010.

Big Stock Photo – Stuarthe.

Yanni-Wake Entertainment has a very special event just beginning, with a live video chat between Yanni and fans to climax this extraordinary event taking place in an aired-live forum on March 16th.  The folks at Yanni.com are currently collecting questions, and then posting them in new videos every day until the open forum on March 16th.

Wouldn’t you like to have the opportunity to ask your favorite music celebrity a personal question related to their music?  According to yanni.com, people from across the globe are turning in their questions for Yanni’s personal reply at this very minute.  In fact, there are still several days for you to send in your questions early before the main event is broadcast live!

This live video chat event from Yanni-Wake Entertainment will be hosted by the award-winning, American news anchor and media personality Lauren Sanchez.  In addition to answering many fan questions, Yanni also plans to share details on his upcoming concert tour and new album, “Truth of Touch.”  Here are the specific details;

Visit yanni.com or go directly to their news page for complete live chat details, and to see videos of questions in the days before March 16th.

On March 16 you can access the Live Video Chat webcast by clicking on this link; LiveStream.com/OfficialYanni or by clicking on our banner above.  You can submit your questions early to: Ask@Yanni.com.  The Live Video Chat forum will begin airing at 1:00pm (EDT) Eastern Daylight Time.

Banner courtesy yanni.com.

        NewAgeMusic.nu Best Album Award of 2010.   By B.T. Fasmer on January 1, 2011. 

2010 has been an amazing year for New Age Music! Critics have in the past, at best, called it a niche genre – but it is our claim that in 2010 it became far more mainstream. The reason for this is a long process. New Age Music has moved from being in the special selection in physical record stores, to easy access in the digital world – among jazz and pop.

Today New Age Music shows up as a top 5 genre on major web radio services like Live365. com (see below picture). It is also is easily available on digital music outlets like iTunes. Other genres (I will not mention names) have not been this fortunate. It all began before 2010 of course, but this year it became far more obvious.

The success of new age music is all about the quality of the titles available. It is a statement of the dedicated and talented artists that are currently active in the genre. In 2010 we have had the pleasure of reviewing and playing on our radio stations New Age Music Stars and Sky.fm/newage a high number of newly released songs that simply take our breath away. The quality artisanship is amazing. So please sit back and read our NewAgeMusic.nu and NewAgeMusicWorld.Com top 10 album list for the year 2010.

Clifford White – Atlantis

In his review of Clifford White’s 2010 release Atlantis, John P. Olsen wrote: “Creative talent and New Age music are identical terms in reference to the multitudes of creative and influential musicians producing music today. This can be said of all genres of course and just like all genres, New Age had a group of select artists in the primordial years whose earlier influences formed the inception and foundation of our genre. Clifford White is a musician living in the United Kingdom defining our New Age genre then and this is true today. ” And WOW, what an album Atlantis is.

BT Fasmer wrote: “Atlantis is like a box of surprises! Here Clifford White gives the listener a fresh perspective on the old myth. Indeed, after 65 minutes of music you feel that Atlantis has risen from the ocean and become a place in your mind you can visit and revisit again and again.” Atlantis is all in all a fantastic album!

Sample the album here.

Peter Kater – Call of Love

Peter Kater is without a doubt among the finest artists our genre has – and his 2010 album Call of Love is one of this year’s best releases. It is created by love for music, nature and creation itself. It is a true Call of Love. Peter has invited three very gifted musicians to create the album. These artists are Legendary reedman, Paul McCandless; celebrated cellist, Jaques Morelenbaum; and Sting guitarist, Dominic Miller. It is obvious to the listener that they have had great fun while creating the album. There is a refreshing playfulness to many segments. This gives the album a more live feeling.

We simply cannot praise the album enough. Six time Grammy nominee Peter Kater is always delivering, and this is also the case with the album at hand. No artist out there is better when it comes to creating a song that starts with a hint of melancholy and grows into a melodic, passionate and almost divine artwork; the finished musical canvas is filled with nothing but the brightest colors.

Sample the album here.

Michael Brant DeMaria – Gaia

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 U.S. along with international acceptance in Australia, Europe, and Russia, having touched many lives with his universal message. Gaia is essentially the achievement of over 25 years in personal and professional research by Michael into the fundamental principles of auditory healing techniques.

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. So yes, Gaia is one of this year’s finest albums!!

Sample the album here.

David Clavijo - The Landing (Special Edition)

About David Clavijo John P. Olsen wrote: ” When listening to New Age music, the multiple genres and subgenres of World, Ambient, Contemporary, Instrumental, Chill Out, and Groove in most cases are heard from one album to another.

Now I have a chance to tell you about a novel new release that explores the multitude of influences I have listed throughout the entire album.

David Clavijo from Seville Spain seems to have a natural inclination of what multi influential New Age music is all about and I felt his performance on acoustic & electric guitars along with piano & keyboards are a fine line balance that blends together quite nicely by having these diverse instrumental strengths.”

Do yourself a favor and check out this album here.

Tangerine Dream – Chandra: The Phantom Ferry, Pt. 1

Isn’t it fun that the first and most influential band in our genre still is the most active too? Well, I know for a fact that many TD fans are not so happy that they keep on releasing albums at such a speed that even the most dedicated fan can’t keep track. But one must always try to give the new albums a chance (and not just listen to TD albums from the 1960s and 70s) – and I think that this year’s release Chandra: The Phantom Ferry, Pt. 1 is an excellent album!

Especially the first and second songs - Approaching Greenland At 7pm and The Moondog Connection – are excellent songs that you will want to listen to again and again. This is music for dreaming and working – and with TD’s unique sound that is as modern today as it was in 1967.

Sample the album here.

Gandalf – Gates to Secret Realities

In this review of Gandalf’s 2010 album Gates to Secret Realities John P. Olsen wrote: “Many musicians are content to remain within a specific genre and are a complete success in their artistic focus. Then there are other notable musicians where a natural progression is realized, developing into a unique artesian style and by their inner convictions, become a virtuoso by what they offer the music world.

Gandalf is an internationally acclaimed composing musician and producer from Vienna Austria first identified as a New Age, Contemporary Instrumental and World artist. While transitioning the past 30 years of his long career, his progressive directive and persona helped neutralize the customary social borders in multicultural music for years. Gates To A Secret Reality on the Prudence label is an open manifest of Gandalf’s ambitious return to classic World music. Gates To A Secret Reality featuring 11 songs with over an hour of world class music is an expedition not to be missed. ”

Sample the album here.

David Wahler – A Star Danced

Just like an orchestra conductor standing on a podium, one New Age artist first held his raised baton in hand, and began to cue the first downbeat gesture for his debut album. What emerged after the final cutoff gesture was made, led to an upbeat direction for his first album’s achievements, and proclaimed admiration for this relatively new artist. David Wahler is the musician orchestrating Antiquus in a like manner, where his time signature expertly directed a unique phrasing in tempo, dynamics, and articulation, leading to welcoming salutations of praise during the final reception at the end of his first orchestration.

Composed, performed, and arranged solely by David Wahler, this album represents a heartfelt narration surrounding his family circle past and present, where resolution of personal life challenges are reflected as a unique source of inspiration for his music’s identity, lovingly embraced by his close family heritage. So please check out David Wahler’s new album – which is one of the finest released in 2010!

Sample the album here. 

Steve Orchard – Sundancer

Paul Avgerinos – Law of Attraction  

Another excellent release this year is Paul Avgerinos’ Law of Attraction. He has based the Law of Attraction theme in regards to authors Esther and Jerry Hicks and their bestselling self-help books, but after listening to his thirteenth album I discovered that Law of Attraction has such a pleasingly rich sensation of expressive delights, I just had to respond myself by concentrating more precisely on the fine melodic wonderment and charismatic appeal of this sensational new release, which if it was a library book, Law of Attraction would certainly be shelved in the romantic therapy section.

It is pretty easy to fall in love with Paul Avgerinos music whether you have been officially introduced or not. But now you are, so sample the album here. 

Lisa Downing – Christmas for Two

The Christmas is not yet over! Lisa Downing’s Solo Piano album titled Christmas for Two may be of interest to you and while there are many exceptional Christmas albums in the New Age genre along with every musical taste from popular artists, Lisa Downing truly does have a special gift herself as a top solo pianist in every sense of the word and this is precisely articulated on her Holiday music release. Plus, knowing Lisa was a youth pastor at her church in Littleton earlier in life and performed in the Christian, Folk, Pop-Rock band named Wings of Faith, you know that Lisa’s heart is in the right place.  

Christmas for Two varies from soft and contemplative at moments to spirited phrasing with majestic crescendos like her amazing version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Carol of the Bells which give new meaning to the term Holiday music. So now we have a new title to add to our “best of Christmas” list too! Sample the album here.

Yes, 2010 was an amazing year for new age music!  NewAgeMusic.nu and NewAgeMusicWorld.Com have high hopes for 2011 too so stay tuned for more excellent music from old & new artists – and we are ready to tell you all about them !

I am certain the recent article by B.T. Fasmer informing you about The original Truth Of Touch release from Yanni has created some excitement for our visitors.  It certainly has for us !   After going to the official Yanni truthoftouch.com website for pre – release samples, then reading the fan comments at his YouTube videos section and their excitement, I can say in all honesty the anticipation level is exceptionally high and this original composition from Yanni is creating quite a sensation.

It’s easy to see why people are excited since even the Truth Of Touch samples are magnificent !

You are invited to find out why this epic release from Yanni coming February 8, 2011 will be a must have release for a multitude of people worldwide.  Voyage from Truth Of Touch is featured in the video below, plus everything you need to know is available at yanni.com with info and song samples from the album for your listening pleasure at truthoftouch.com.

Yanni tells us his thoughts about Truth Of Touch, then sample the related videos after the song below.   

Many musicians are content to remain within a specific genre and are a complete success in their artistic focus. Then there are other notable musicians where a natural progression is realized, developing into a unique artesian style and by their inner convictions, become a virtuoso by what they offer the music world.

Gandalf is an internationally acclaimed composing musician and producer from Vienna Austria first identified as a New Age, Contemporary Instrumental and World artist. While transitioning over the past 30 years of his career, his progressive directive and persona has helped neutralize the customary social borders in multicultural music for years.

Gates To A Secret Reality on the Prudence label is an open manifest of his ambitious return to classic World music. This 1996 album is one of fascination and perhaps a secret gaze into what Gandalf is planning for a future orchestration slated to celebrate his 30 year Anniversary in 2011. This future CD currently being composed is the centerpiece for the occasion, plus a live performance in Vienna will accent his milestone achievement.

It was during continental travels to Europe, North & South America and Asia where Gandalf began to realize the prevailing attitudes and many similarities of every continent greatly unites each of us, verses creates a divisional line between countries. This open border view is much a part of his global World Music ambitions, and perhaps why his style encompasses a unique image while making a valid statement in relation to his cultivated talents and international status.

Gates To A Secret Reality featuring 11 songs with over an hour of world class music is an earlier expedition not to be missed. Gandalf is a multi instrumentalist performing acoustic and electric guitar, charango, piano, keyboards, mellotron, balaphon and many indigenous percussions. Enlisting Emily Burridge from England and Peter Aschenbrenner from Vienna, Emily performs vocals & cello and composed 3 songs while Peter is another fine talent on flutes, soprano saxophone and some backing vocals.

This ensemble in unison has made the album a unique listening experience and beginning with 3 songs Dreamcatcher ( Part 1 ) vocals and flute instill a celestial atmosphere while Gandalf steps up to give an astounding Rock styled electric guitar anthem. This is much in relation to The Power Of Nature & Man’s Promise To Mother Earth performed by the united trio where vocals, flute, keyboard and electric guitar proclaims a powerful majestic atmosphere and is most memorable.

Many songs journey along more moderate terrains regarding style and tempo yet the fascination remains deep and on a grandiose scale. Footprints In Red Sand is relaxing by the flute and keyboard interludes before building momentum with electric guitar that greatly increases depth of the impression.

Majestic Mountain View is an apt title shown by cello, keyboard and flute setting their sights on a light background depth and then again in following windswept song Voice In The Wind, then bells signal the tonal imagery in piano and guitar melody on Along The Milky Way.  Some songs like Ascending On The Eagle’s wings, Dreamcatcher ( Part 2 ) & Floating Down The Silent Stream are ballads elevated by cello flute, keyboards and saxophone that give a cinematic feel by lighter orchestrations portrayed in a lavish way.

The Wheel Of Life is a moving concerto lightly revolving in time, thought and deliberation, swaying in a gentle way by an enchanting flute melody backed by wondrous piano rhythms. Cello is fluently engaged to intensify the atmospheric warmth and progressive movement this song and the album in entirety envisions, perhaps giving us secret insight into the celebratory atmosphere Gandalf has in mind for us in the year 2011.

Visit Gandalf.at to sample his music and find out more on his biography page. Visit the Munsing Germany based bscmusic.com homepage and then his BSA Music profile page to sample / purchase his music.

Picture copyright Big Stock Photo – EcoShot.

The ZMR Music Award Winners were announced on March 14 2010.  Many of the artists we write about were category qualifiers, nominees, or chosen award winners in specific categories. It is always good news to us when these outstanding artists get recognition they deserve.

Every musician in our genre has produced some outstanding music this year,and we have enjoyed writing reviews about many of these musicians at NewAgeMusicWorld.Com & NewAgeMusic.nu this past year.

In fact, some were recognized in our own NewAgeMusic.nu Best Albums of 2009.

There is no denying that every musician has made a significant contribution to our beloved genre and in our minds, has already become a winner.  We enjoy writing about these deserving individuals and look forward to writing even more  about our featured musicians in the days ahead.  B.T. Fasmer and I would like to congratulate everyone !

The qualifying artists we feature, along with their websites can be found by clicking on the ZMR news links provided in each review or interview.

Visit zonemusicreporter.com to see the complete  Category Awards List  and then be sure to read our NewAgeMusic.nu Best Albums of 2009  right here  or in the above Music News tab above.

Expect New Age Music World to bring you even more about the musicians we feature here.  Below are the individuals we have been writing about who received top honors at ZMR for 2009.