- David Lanz
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David Lanz Born June 28, 1950
Seattle, Washington, U.S.Genres New Age Instruments Piano Years active 1964–present Labels Narada (1982–) Website DavidLanz.com David Lanz (born June 28, 1950 in Seattle, Washington) is a Grammy-nominated New Age pianist. His most popular album, Cristofori's Dream, topped the New Age charts in 1988, which was No. 1 on 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.[1]
Contents
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.[2] 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. 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, 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, 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.[citation needed]
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".[3]
Lanz has said, "[The piano] 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 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
Compilation appearances
- 20 Years of Narada Piano
- Grand Piano (Narada Anniversary Collection)
- Narada Smooth Jazz
- Narada Film and Television Music Sampler
Sources
David Lanz, "Solos for New Age Piano" copyright 1991 NARADA Music Inc. pp. 2–3
External links
Categories:- American pianists
- People from Seattle, Washington
- 1950 births
- Living people
- New Age pianists
- Narada Productions artists
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