David Lanz

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Biography

David Lanz (born June 28, 1950 in Seattle, Washington ) is a Grammy|Grammy-nominated New Age music|New Age pianist. His most popular album, ''Cristofori's Dream , topped the New Age charts in 1988, which was No. 1 on Billboard 200|Billboard's first adult alternative/New Age chart for 27 weeks and eventually sold platinum. Natural States peaked at No. 125 on the Billboard 200.

Early years

Lanz attributes his interest in the piano to experiences during his childhood in the Pacific Northwest . He said, "As children, the piano is one of the first 'machines' we come in contact with, and one of the first we are allowed to explore."

One of the other reasons that he enjoyed the piano was his mother. His mother played songs by Ray Charles , Frank Sinatra , and Nat King Cole on the piano, and became David's first musical mentor.

Lanz started his performing career as a teenager during the 1960s. In 1971, Lanz recorded one album for Mercury Records with Canadian group- Brahman . He played keyboards on the Terry Jacks ' hit, " Seasons in the Sun ". In the late 1970s, Lanz was musical director of the Seattle band, The Sweep, with Ken McCann as front man singer, Peter Pendras on lead guitar, Glenn Ayers on drums, and Hugh Gerrard on bass. Saxophonist Robbie Jordan was added to the group after a gig in Boise, Idaho . A childhood friend of Lanz', Jeff Simmons (musician)|Jeff Simmons , at one time or another played with or filled in for Sweep personnel since Simmons is a multi-instrumentalist.

Later, Lanz shifted to playing solo acts in local clubs. At a nightclub in Seattle, Washington|Seattle , Lanz began to perform his own compositions. "It was the world's first new age piano bar," said Lanz. It was during this time that he began his transition from rock to other more reserved music genres, such as jazz and blues .

Recording career

The 1980s saw the birth of a new type of musical talent in Lanz. During this time, with the help of a friend, he began composing what would now be considered New Age music. From the 1980s onward, he has released a steady stream of albums, including his ground-breaking album Heartsounds , his first solo album, which boosted the popularity of his record label, Narada Productions|Narada .

Style

Lanz's goal is to have his music create an atmosphere of enlightenment. In an interview with Barnes & Noble , Lanz stated that he wanted to create an atmosphere similar to that of Steven Halpern 's music, but with a "more popular hook in it".

Lanz has said, " is the most divinely inspired instrument on the planet. It presents a great attraction to our left-right brain relationship. My goal is to create entertainment that also provides enlightenment."

In the front of his Musicbook, The David Lanz Collection , he writes: "At the piano, I'm able to communicate in a way that is very intimate and direct. My approach at music is a bit like talking to a friend. You don't have to be very complicated when you speak. If you say what's in your heart, it's usually very simple."

Lanz's style spans the popular songbook as well. His recent release, "Liverpool", made with Xiao (flute)|Xiao flute master Gary Stroutsos pays homage to the music of The Beatles .

Discography

(For track listings, see: http://www.davidlanz.com/cdsonglist.html)

1983 — Heartsounds

1984 — Nightfall

1985 — Natural States with Paul Speer

1985 — Solstice with Michael Jones

1987 — Woodlands with Eric Tingstand & Nancy Rumbel

1987 — Desert Vision with Paul Speer

1988 — ''Cristofori's Dream

1990 — Skyline Firedance (The Orchestral Works/The Solo Works 2 CD set)

1991 — Return to the Heart

1993 — Bridge of Dreams with Paul Speer

1994 — Christmas Eve

1995 — Beloved (Collection with unreleased piano solo)

1996 — Sacred Road

1996 — Convergence with David Arkenstone (Collection of Lanz, Arkenstone)

1998 — Songs from an English Garden

1999 — An Evening with David Lanz (Live Concert recording)

1999 — ''Cristofori's Dream (remastered with additional track)

1999 — The Christmas Album (Collection with several unreleased tracks)

2000 — East of the Moon (Grammy Nomination - Best New Age Recording)

2000 — Angel in My Stocking - Limited Edition

2001 — Love Songs (Collection/additional unreleased track)

2002 — Finding Paradise

2002 — Romantic: The Ultimate David Lanz Collection (2 CD set)

2003 — A Cup of Moonlight (Limited Website Edition)

2003 — The Symphonic Sessions (Collection with several unreleased tracks)

2003 — Heartsounds/Nightfall (Re-released/re-mastered 2 CD set)

2004 — The Good Life

2005 — Spirit Romance with Gary Stroutsos

2005 — The Best of David Lanz

2006 — Sacred Road Revisited

2007 — A Cup of Moonlight (Revised Official Release/additional tracks)

2008 — Living Temples with Gary Stroutsos

2008 — Painting the Sun

2009 — Liverpool:Re-imagining the Beatles featuring Larry Knechtel and Gary Stroutsos

2010 — Liverpool Trio: Live in Seoul (Live Concert recording)

2011 — Here Comes the Sun featuring Gary Stroutsos, Walter Gray and Keith Lowe

2011 — Here Comes the Sun SOLO Piano Version

Compilation appearances

20 Years of Narada Piano

Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)

Narada Smooth Jazz

Narada Film and Television Music Sampler

Sources

Copyright Citations

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