Music
My piano teacher was Nicholas Witte and his piano teacher was Vladimir Horowitz. Nick attended the Manhattan School of Music and on the walls there is a plaque with his name recognizing him as the first student to receive an A+ in piano performance. He was a good teacher and a great friend of mine. I studied under him for four years and kept in touch with him throughout my career. When I returned from Texas my son studied with him until he became sick. Nick contracted pancreatic cancer and although he was a fighter, we all lose this battle. I used to go see him every couple of weeks, just to tell him jokes and make him laugh. One day I got the call from his wife Lynda. Nick did not have long to go and wanted to tell me something. So the next day I went over and there is Nick, laying in a bed in the middle the living room. And you can tell... So, I sit down beside him and ask, Nick what do you want to tell me?" I lean in close because he can't speak very loud and he said, "You were the worst piano student I ever had!" And he laughed. And I laughed. And it was the last time I ever saw him alive.
Every Snowflake Needs Christmas
Frank DiBussolo |
It was the middle of summer when I had the idea to write this Christmas song. So I took a couple of days and pounded out the structure and scribed out the lyrics until I was happy enough to call Frank DiBussolo in on the project. Dr. Frank is one of my good friends and the best jazz guitarist in the business. So he went to town on the arrangement and called in Chet Brown to lay down the vocals and the Reverend from the First Baptist Church to swing on the clarinet. Within months it was picked up by a Hollywood Agent.
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Chet Brown |
Every Snowflake Need Christmas.pdf | |
File Size: | 61 kb |
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SongBird
Andrew Chervak |
My producer and friend, Andrew Chervak, asked me to compose a new song for a young lady with whom he was working. I had her to the studio so I could see what she was all about. Writing a song for someone to sing is a very intimate thing. You have to crawl inside their soul. So after she left, I started to think about how it would feel to have to leave a life behind in order to start a new. The next day I wrote "Songbird" and called the guys over to have a listen. Frank DiBusollo brought over Amanda Becker, an African/German jazz singer who was visiting to lay down the track.
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Amanda Becker |
song_bird.pdf | |
File Size: | 40 kb |
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Heck of a Christmas
Ok, who writes two Christmas songs? Everybody! They are fun and profitable. All you need is one hit and you don't have to travel or be bothered by the media. Franky and I were at the country club for a change of scenery. They have a good piano and no one is ever there during the day so it is an ideal place to write. (You can also get lunch.) He had written this beautiful melody and asked me to come up with some lyrics. He had the idea that it could be a Christmas song. He wanted something tender and personal. I had just watched "Father of the Bride" with Spencer Tracy for the 50th time and here I am sitting in the wedding hall area. And honest to God, it affected me. Frank and I talked a bit about how 70% of all engagements are at Christmas and he started to play piano and I started to write and before the hour was done, "A Heck of a Christmas" was finished. The song was picked up by a Nashville agent soon thereafter. |
A Heck of a Christmas This Year
The world’s noel-in, and there’s no telling if she’ll like what he got her this year But there’s a small diamond band not yet on her hand. What a wonderful Christmas this year Bells are ringing and his heart is winging Cause he’s sure but still filled with fear When he kneel at her dress He hopes, she says yes What a wonderful Christmas this year (Bridge) by New Years she’ll be picking out wedding dresses by Valentine they’ll have a hall by Easter they’ll be writing out friends addresses and they’ll be married by fall - no make that June The bride is glowing, and we’re all knowing It’s a love that will last through the years Now that small golden band, lights up more than her hand What a wonderful Christmas A Mr.and Miss-mas A heck of a Kiss-miss this year |
Ten Thousand Hours
I had written the book for a new play and had the idea that I should turn it into a musical. This is a bigger task than I had thought but after two years of work it came together. Like all good things, this was a group effort. Frank and I wrote the music and the lyrics and Gabe Toth, a wonderful talent and seasoned musical theater director, collaborated on the arrangements and writing sessions. The plot changed as the characters musically developed and minor roles turned into major roles. One such character that evolved was Dr. Verma, the father of Priya, the female love interest. He is a demanding and sweet guy who leads with his chin but always follows his heart. Dr. Verma has two songs in the play, Ten Thousand Hours and Lullaby.
When I find the right voice we will record these tunes and post them. |
Gabe Toth |
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