Music
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My Compositions: Katie's Little Dance - 2002, A fusion of ragtime and Brazilian Tango styles. Subtitled: A Mucho Bueno Tango Raggo. This piece was written, along with Whoop Kitty, in New Orleans. I was down there for a science conference. I had the opportunity to play a solo set at Donna's Bar & Grill in the French Quarter, as well as sitting in with 6 different jazz bands. It was an exhilarating experience. As I was preparing to head home, the wait in the airport was extreme (the spring after 9/11) and as I sat waiting I composed this and Whoop Kitty. It is named for my daughter Katie, now a dance instructor in Minnesota. Whoop Kitty - 2002, also composed in New Orleans. This piece is dedicated to my late mother-in-law, Thelma, who was a great friend and inspiration. A little hand game she learned growing up on a dust bowl era homestead on the plains of North Dakota was called whoop kitty. It amused me and seemed like a great name for a piano work. This piece is done in a fusion of 1920s-30s Novelty piano and early blues. Rio Colorado - 2003. This lyrical ragtime piece was inspired by our visits to the high country in the Colorado Rockies. The headwaters of the Colorado river were what gave this piece it's name. It is dedicated to my wife Gayle. Kare Phree - 2003, This piece is dedicated to my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. Their anniversary party was held at Kare Phree Pines, a resort on Big Sandy lake in northern Minnesota where they spent their honeymoon, and as a family, we spent many summer vacations. I found out, while were at the anniversary party, that the resort was to be torn down shortly after our party. Brian Keenan recorded this piece. One Shoe Blues - 2004, Our daughter, Katie, was very involved in Children's theatre productions at Jesters School for the Performing Arts, in Longmont. At one production of Snow White, there were more children for the production had characters. The director, Scott Moore, added more characters, based on other fairy tales. One of these was Cinderella, played by Annie K. Her character never found prince charming and was left hobbling on one shoe. This piece has become popular with ragtime performers and has been featured in several ragtime festivals and has been recorded. It has also been arranged for Dixieland Band and has been performed by the Longs Peak Dixieland Gospel band. Black Dog Ramble - 2009. This piece was inspired by our dog Lady, who passed away New Years eve 2008. Noted composer and pianist David Thomas Roberts remarked that this is my best composition to date. It was first performed publically at a benefit concert honoring Addie, the daughter of a friend who passed on at 3 months. It has already been performed in several concerts. Montana Girl - 2011. This is a rag that hails to classic ragtime sensibilities. It is dedicated to Gayle, a real Montana girl! You Give Me Sunshine - 2014. This piece has roots in Stride and early Blues songs. Eventually I will have words and a vocal part for it! Written on the occasion of the birth of my first Grandson, Archie. Dedicated to Katie, Nick and Archie Eleanor's Rag - 2022 A classic rag style in honor of my 2 year old grand daughter. |
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