The Recording Academy
placed Russell Kramer on the
Official Ballot for the
58th and 59th Annual Grammy Awards
in the following categories:
Best New Age Album
Russell Kramer - 'Dynosoar Above the Clouds'
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Russell Kramer - 'Jazzalicious'
Best New Artist (Two Years)
Russell Kramer
About Russell
A creative one-sentence description
of your music: 'Harmonious keyboard melodies and rhythms
woven with cello, flute and percussion with a cinematic
feel.'
Finish the sentence, someone
will like my music if they like... 'Keith Jarrett, George
Winston, and Tangerine Dream.'
Key career highlights:
'Performances at The Center For The Arts in Natick, MA,
The Cotuit Center for the Arts, and house concerts on Cape
Cod.'
How and when I started making
music: 'Music runs in my family. I remember as a child
my Mom thumping away on the Baldwin spinet piano improvising
from Handel's 'Messiah,' to 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' to
her original songs rattling the dishes on the Dutch Cupboard.
Piano was my first love in music. Apart from learning by
listening, I had a natural gift to play piano from about
age 8 and started formal piano lessons at 14 with a preference
for classical music. In junior high I started clarinet in
the school band continuing with other reed instruments through
high school. My Dad was an audiophile with the latest stereo
systems pumping out classical music, so both parents were
early influences.'
What makes your music different:
'My music is often in unusual and changing time signatures,
yet still flows with a cinematic feel, and fresh compositional
style. There are both spiritual elements and even a theatrical
flair with hints of youthfulness and innocence.'
Convince me to come to your
next show: 'Come journey with me, be touched by the
soothing and sparkling tones of original keyboards. Experience
the deep spiritual inspired harmonious melodies and rhythms
right from the source. From the ephemeral beauty and introspection
of 'Water' to the youthful playfulness of 'Cocoa Belly'
to the majestic 'Dynosoar Above The Clouds,' you'll be inspired,
amused and amazed at the scintillating performance.'
Why is it important for you
to connect with music fans and what do you have to offer
them as an artist? 'Music is giving and receiving. Music
means nothing to me without sharing it, inspiring others
and responding to their inspiration in turn. So connecting
with music fans is vital. As an artist I offer sincerity,
joy, gratitude, healing, soothing tones, a sacred space
and time zone for you to enter and connect on your own terms
with the great spirit which inspires me. I offer a connection
between music and visual art to express my visions and insights
into my music. I offer the story behind my music as well
as the story within my music. This is in the form of photographic
images from nature, original graphics and videos.'
About the CD 'Dynosoar
Above The Clouds' - track by track
Blue Whale Spirit:
From traditional native cultures comes the concept of spirit
guides and power animals. Each of us has our own unique
set spirit guides. 'Blue Whale Spirit' reflects my close
communion with Whales whose splendor I enjoy during whale
watching excursions. Whales are associated with: healing
through music and sound, spiritual insight and gentleness.
The composition juxtaposes steady structured rhythms, with
dapples of percussion from which the sounds of whales emerge
from the depths. Listen closely to these entrancing sounds.
Pleiades: In
ancient traditions, the constellation Pleiades is said to
be the home of an advanced civilization which first visited
Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago, guiding our civilization.
This composition - Parts 1 and 2 - represents my conception
of a journey to the Pleiadians and back to Earth. A cosmic
journey with insights into their advance scientific and
spiritual development.
Dynosoar Above the Clouds:
This is based on a true story. I was living in Brisbane
a small town just south of San Francisco with the San Francisco
Bay to the East and the San Bruno mountains looming to the
West. I was hiking atop the mountain gazing south high above
tree tops and over South San Francisco when suddenly low
flying clouds rolled in off the Pacific ocean completely
covering the town below I was just gazing at moments before.
There I was not just soaring above the clouds, I was Dynosoaring
above the clouds.
Inner Eye:
How do you look at your inner self? We all have an inner
eye which sees beyond the surface and understands our soul.
Only many of us have yet to open this gift to see our true
greatness. 'Inner Eye' is a calming journey guiding us to
look within, to rekindle our inner vision and cherish the
greatness that resides in us all.
Intrepid Journey:
This piece goes back a-ways to high school. It began with
me interpreting a theme song to a late night movie. It reminded
me of Bach and I may never know the original composer. From there I played around with it and over an extended period leading to the present and composed my own piece thus inspired. It is about my own personal life's intrepid journey. It's about the challenges, the peaks and valleys, denial and acceptance, triumph and tragedy. This is about the brave and fearless quest of my soul retrieval and inner healing, of facing my demons and finding my true self. You know, the usual stuff.
