William Joseph : Beyond

Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and William Joseph have many things in common—they are young, they are not your typical music artists, and they are shepherded in their careers by illustrious producer David Foster. Groban and Bublé have become major stars; Joseph is on his way. With his second major-label album, Beyond, the inventive, impassioned pianist and songwriter reaches beyond the boundaries of the contemporary instrumental genre to touch a new generation.

biography

The greatest music comes from within.

In the case of the extraordinary young piano virtuoso William Joseph, that statement applies both literally and figuratively.

This twenty-five year old Phoenix, Arizona native has displayed an innate affinity and enduring love for his instrument virtually from the cradle. Matched with a dedication and discipline that has given polish and precision to his passion, William Joseph has indeed reached deep within to discover and nurture his spectacular gift.

It’s a gift gloriously displayed on Within, William Joseph’s dazzling debut album on 143/Reprise Records. Highlighting eleven tracks that deftly demonstrate his exceptional range and versatility, Within was produced by the legendary artist, songwriter, producer and talent scout David Foster.

And, if Foster’s track record with the likes of Josh Groban, Michel Bublé and Renee Olstead are any indication, William Joseph is indeed poised for worldwide acclaim with the release of Within. Foster’s unerring instinct for deeply felt and consummately crafted music is, in short, about to launch another young artist on a promising musical career, and it was the producer himself who aptly summed up the appeal of this brilliant newcomer, stating simply, “I love his musicality, his writing and the magic he weaves on the piano. He has a unique gift the whole world should hear.”

It’s a sentiment that is quickly becoming a reality, as William Joseph has brought his extraordinary virtuosity to an ever wider and more appreciative audience. Since completing work on Within, Joseph has been much in-demand for a number of high profile musical events, most notably an opening slot on the recent summer tour of baritone sensation and 143 Records’ label mate, Josh Groban. A series of sold out dates were spotlighted with an acclaimed two-night stand at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles along with appearances throughout the U.S. and Canada.

On a more intimate note, Joseph has recently been center stage for a string of prestigious celebrity events, including benefits for both the Malibu Boys & Girls Club and the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club hosted by, respectively, Mel Gibson and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; charity performances for both Carousel of Hope and City of Hearts, during which he shared the stage with, among others, Beyoncé, Faith Hill and Josh Groban; a special evening honoring sports greats Andre Agassi, Tiger Woods and Oscar De La Hoya with all-star line-ups spotlighting India.Arie, Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Mario Lopez, Michael Bublé and others as well as special celebrations for California first lady Maria Shriver and Warner Bros. Records Chairman Tom Whalley.

It’s a promising launch for an artist who, at age eight, had already garnered a full ride music scholarship that would allow him to study classical piano with the likes of the acclaimed Russian instructor Stella Saperstein.

Yet even while immersed in such rarified realms, Joseph’s eclectic musical tastes prompted him to sample a wide array of styles and sensibilities. A natural born performer, he had songwriting ambitions and a love for cinematic scoring that could give full range to his richly textured and subtly nuanced skills. At sixteen, he penned the theme song for the hometown hockey team, The Phoenix Coyotes, and subsequently the moving anthem “Seeds Of Hope,” which helped to draw international attention to the Kosovo refugee crisis.

After taking a break from music in his late teens, Joseph returned to active performing, and within a few years had garnered a loyal local following thanks to the release of two independent albums and an extensive concert itinerary.

It was in 2003 that the young artist’s unique musical ability came to the attention of David Foster, in Phoenix for a charity event honoring Muhammad Ali. “I knew where he was going to be,” recounts Joseph, “so I just showed up and introduced myself. It was in the middle of a rehearsal, with all the musicians on stage and something promoted me to ask him if I could sit down at his piano and play a song.”

The original composition, which would later appear as the title track to his major label debut, stopped Foster in his tracks. “He sat down and played this beautiful piece magnificently and to perfection,” he remembers. “I was so impressed I asked him if he would perform that evening. A standing ovation later and I knew I had to work with him.”

That work got underway almost immediately with Foster and Joseph working closely together to select a repertoire that would truly represent the range and dynamism of the young pianist.

“Some of the material, like ‘Ave Maria” I’d been playing since I was a kid,” Joseph explains. “Others, like ‘Stella’s Theme’ and ‘Grace’ I co-wrote with David. It was a great honor for me, having grown up loving his music, but what I appreciated most was his willingness to try new things.”

Included in that later category are distinctive renditions of Paul Simon’s “Homeward Bound” and the total reinvention of such varied material as Kansas’ “Dust In The Wind,” Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” and “Butterflies And Hurricanes” by UK rock innovators Muse.

“I had huge expectations going into the studio with David,” enthuses Joseph, “and they were hugely exceeded. I really feel as if we got to the heart of my music; how different styles can be brought together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.”

All of which goes to prove that what’s within a true artist will always find a way to express itself, literally and figuratively.

“I love William’s musicality, his writing and the magic he weaves on the piano. He has a unique gift the whole world should hear.”

William Joseph - Beyond *New Track* (Live in Saskatoon)

The Beautiful performance !

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[Newly Now] Aimee Allen : Ron Paul Anthem Music Video

Get ready to abandon typical musical nomenclature like female singer/songwriter; Aimee Allen looms on the horizon as a virtual one-woman army. A quick listen to her upcoming debut album and you understand why. Gigantic rock chords slamming into riotous, street-tinged hip hop beats all blurring under raspy, up-all-night vocals. Loud, righteous, 360-degree noize a full frontal assault on the senses that couldn’t possibly come from a chick born in Montana.

About Aimee

At nineteen, Aimee Allen felt she had already conquered her native Montana, with sold out club dates and frequent radio play, she longed for bigger adventures in a new city. Determined to reach people with her music, she packed her car and moved to Los Angeles to start living her dream. Leaving the comfort and stability of her friends and family, she hit Hollywood’s less than glamorous side – night shifts waiting tables and couch surfing till the perfect opportunity arose. Roles in MTV’s Undressed and The Bold and the Beautiful gave her a taste of the entertainment industry but it was only after months of playing out and writing did Aimee start to get results. And the results were well worth the wait; a bidding war between the labels started– a dream situation for any artists but one that rarely happens in today’s turbulent market. Ultimately Aimee was signed to Elektra Records, and commenced work on her album, “I’d Start a Revolution If I Could Get Up In The Morning”. The album became an underground hit even before its release, the fan favorite “More Man Than You’ll Ever Be” was a scathing mission statement, declaring that she was ready to play (and win) the boys club radio –rock game. Leadoff single “Revolution” would infiltrate film, TV and radio with its anti-anthem hook, “I’d Start A Revolution if I could get up in the morning" was ultimately picked-up by “Birds of Prey” on the WB and in Warren Miller’s “Storm”. Underground MC Pharoahe Monch dirtied up “Oblivion,” a track topped in sultriness only by the hedonistic “If It Feels Right.” Her resume reads like a who’s who of industry heavy-hitters; discovered by American Idol and platinum selling producer Randy Jackson, she worked with Bloodshy (Britney Spears), Scott Storch (Jay Z, Eve), Justin Stanley, (Beck, Nikka Costa) Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen) Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Duran Duran) and the list goes on. While on tour with Unwritten Law, supporting her album, she and lead singer Scott Russo discovered and nurtured an intense and creative relationship. By the time Elektra collapsed, Aimee was already working on the “Scott and Aimee Project” re-recording some of Aimee’s original Elektra tracks as well as creating and writing new material including “Miss America” and “Southern California Love” for the album “Sitting In A Tree”. At the same time, Aimee was writing material for Unwritten Law’s album “Here’s to the Mourning” and collaborating with Linda Perry and Scott Russo on the Billboard Chart topper “Save Me” which reached 5 in the Billboard rock charts. With a scorching hit “Cooties” on the Grammy nominated Hairspray Soundtrack and guest vocals on reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry’s up-coming release ‘Repentance”, Aimee’s all conquering attitude and hard work is establishing her as a successful name in the industry. She has continued to explore the relationship between her music in film, and is featured in “Numb”, an independent tribute to the 80’s punk movement which she performs three songs for. Her haunting ballad “I’m Here” featuring world renowned guitarist Kaki King is featured in Tate Taylor’s “Pretty Ugly People” set for release in 2008. A combination of hard work and talent has even gained her celebrity recognition, Tila Tequila, star of MTV’s hit show “A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila” recently fell in love with Allen’s “Stripper Friends” and has re-recorded it to be used as the title music to the second season. Underground soul king Kevin Michaels also reached out to Aimee for his reworking of “We All Want the Same Thing”, which was released through Atlantic in 2007.

Aimee Allen, Ron Paul Anthem Music Video

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The King Of Jazz : Clarinet Benny Goodman

Born May 30, 1909 in Chicago, Benjamin David Goodman would grow up to be known as the King of Swing. He was the ninth born and had eleven siblings. His musical career began at the young age of ten when his father decided to enroll Benny and his two older brothers in Kehelah Jacob Synagogue where they took music lessons and he later benefited from lessons given to him by Franz Schoepp, who was a classical clarinetist. With Benny's interest and passion for playing, it was not long before he was playing professionally. In fact, he was playing professionally before he was sixteen, which goes to show the kind of natural talent this individual had.

At the age of sixteen, Benjamin was playing with the Ben Pollack orchestra, who he remained with until 1929. During his time with the orchestra, he made some of his first recordings, including the creation of his own record. It was with this band that he really started to become quite a success and the success continued on through the 1930s, which his father was not fortunate enough to see as he had passed away in an accident after Benny had joined the Ben Pollack orchestra. While the death hit Benny hard and he always regretted that his father had refused to retire when Benny had offered to take care of him and his mother, the tragedy did not slow him down in his career. His reputation continued to grow, but this does not mean that things were becoming any easier. During a tour in 1935, Goodman's band nearly broke up because of the immense stress they were under. The type of jazz they were playing was quite a bit different than the jazz most people were accustomed to and it was not always accepted.

Benjamin Goodman was so influential in his music that it is said that without Benny there would have been no swing music. He was known as a virtuoso clarinetist and one of the best jazz clarinetists of the time. He was innovative and experimental with his music, so much so that it took time before some people were able to accept it. Finally, in the year of 1957, he was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame for his exceptional talent. Even after the induction, he continued to play with as much interest and energy, perhaps even with more than he did before. He played in small groups with other musicians, recorded his music, played in festivals and participated in tours, but did not limit himself to playing jazz throughout all this.

He played the swing he was best known for and also continued to play some classical music, which was really his roots as classical was some of the first music he was taught to play when he was young. In later years, his health deteriorated, but he continued to play until his death in 1986 when he passed away of a heart attack at the age of 77. It seems that even after passing, his influence was still strong as he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award later that year.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

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