Time for more great piano music this weekend! This time, we’ll explore pianists I didn’t mention last week!
First up is Jim Chappell, a great composer and performer.
Tag Archive: Jim Chappell
On this blog, I often spend weekends discussing themes (like comics or local events), but I thought this time I’d go video by sharing some pieces from my favorite musicians.
First up is the one who got me interested in piano music, Jim Brickman. This song is the first one of his I ever heard. It was playing regularly on a local radio station, but the announcers would never say what it was called or who was performing it. Finally, one Sunday morning as I was running errands, the DJ said it was “Angel Eyes” played by Jim Brickman. As soon as I heard that, I was off to the local music store, bought the CD, rushed home, listened to and fell in love with the beautiful music. (When I read the information that came with the CD, I discovered he had previously released another CD, which sent me running to downtown DC so I could buy that one, too! I was hooked!) This video reminds me of the time I saw him in concert a couple of years back–he performed this as an encore!
It’s been a while since I’ve highlighted my joys in music. Since I’ve just discovered a great musician who has a very interesting story, I thought I’d point him and his music out today.
I’ve mentioned previously how much I love piano music. There’s something very special about a person and an instrument making gorgeous music together. That’s not to say I don’t like bands or orchestras–I do! But in the last few years, I’ve come to appreciate music that has an “earnestness” to it. By that I mean, it isn’t just elevator music that trundles along with no purpose but to provide a background noise. No, this music has real feeling to it–it can make me swoon or dance or reflect on life in general.
Of course, the musicians I’ve listed previously include Jim Brickman, Jim Chappell and Bryce Miller, among others. But today, thanks to the Internet, I discovered a new favorite–Joe Bongiorno.
Now where I come from, in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a guy with that name would have to run a pizza parlor. And the pizza would taste great, too, by the way. Then, too, to look at a photo of Joe, one might think he resembles a fullback more than a musician, like he ought to tackle the piano instead of play it. But things don’t just end there. (And his story reminds me of my experience with my father as well.)