Chris Spheeris is a Greek-American composer of instrumental music.
He is a producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Chris is the cousin of Penelope Spheeris and her brother Jimmie Spheeris.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chris began writing songs on his guitar as a teenager. In 1985, Chris began composing for film. His work in collaboration with filmmaker Chip Duncan includes the television series Is Anyone Listening, the series Mystic Lands (Discovery Networks), In a Just World (PBS) and the classroom production entitled The Life & Death of Glaciers (Discovery Education).
When Erika Ender was a little girl growing up in Panama, she’d buy albums and inscribe them with imaginary dedications from the artists.
Ender, thanks to her work on this year’s Song of the Summer, “Despacito,” no longer needs to pretend that stars adore her work. Along with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the 42-year-old is co-writer of the biggest hit of the year, featuring Justin Bieber, which spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Ender is a singer in her own right, a philanthropist who created a foundation in 2009 to help children, and one of very few successful Latin women in the songwriting field.
Now, since the release of “Despacito” in February, she is in demand from producers around the world. They’re eager for the sound of cultural fusion that Ender brings to her work, and which is rooted in her upbringing.
Born in Panama to a Brazilian mother and a US-born father of German ancestry, Ender speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, and moves easily between cultures.
Before “Despacito,” she had written hits for Chayanne, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Gloria Trevi, Ednita Nazario and Los Tigres del Norte. She also is a TV personality in Latin America, where she has been a judge for a Latin version of American Idol.
“I see myself as a communicator of music,” she says.
“I’m three Erikas: the artist, the composer and the TV personality.
I have a long career in all three.
I’m like my hair,” she jokes. “I take up a lot of space.”
This year, which marks her 25th anniversary as a performer, Ender has a lot to celebrate. In May, she released her latest album, Tatuajes (Tattoos), and this month she’ll become the youngest inductee into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, which will hold its gala Oct. 19 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.
Co-autora de Despacito, a cantora e compositora panamenha Erika Ender esteve no estúdio da ONErpm para gravar uma versão bilíngue da canção. A artista foi acompanhada pela Amanticidas, banda que têm acompanhado Tom Zé em suas mais recentes gravações.
Adele’s comeback album “25″ sold a record-breaking 3.38 million copies in its first week on sale in the US, according to Nielsen Music data.
The British star notched up the largest single sales week for an album since Nielsen began monitoring sales in 1991.
“25” released on 20 November also became the first album to sell more than three million copies in a week.
In Britain, “25” similarly broke records for the highest number of albums sold in a single week of the UK charts.
The album shifted more than 800,000 copies in its first week of release in the UK – more copies than the next 86 albums in the charts combined.
In the US, “25” is already the biggest selling album of 2015, surpassing the 1.8 million copies sold of Taylor Swift’s 1989.
(… and these numbers have increased with time … )
Adele, who has been out of the limelight since winning an Oscar for the Bond theme tune Skyfall in 2013, recently announced her first tour since 2011, playing in arenas across Europe from next February.
Her last tour ended prematurely due to the discovery of a hemorrhage on her vocal cord, which required surgery.
Adele Talks New Album ’25’ And Putting Son Angelo First
TODAY
Published on Nov 25, 2015
Adele speaks with TODAY’s Matt Lauer about her new album, “25,” which was released last Friday, and her one-hour NBC special, “Adele Live in New York City.” Adele talks about the source of inspiration for her music saying, “sometimes you have to let yourself be sad to move forward.” She also talks about her son Angelo, saying that he comes first and that she and her music come second in her life.
“My whole life, thus far, has been a celebration of that unique bond I have felt with my favorite musical instrument and ‘best friend’. The melodies I have written are a testament to that friendship.”
~ Steinway Artist and Composer, Kevin Kern
Kevin Kern (born Kevin Lark Gibbs on December 22, 1958) is an American pianist, composer and recording artist of New Age music.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is now generally recognized as a representative of the New Age style. Born legally blind, Kern is aided in studio by SONAR’s accessibility and Dancing Dots’ assistive music technologies for the vision impaired.
Kevin was found playing “Silent Night” on the piano at 18 months of age. He started learning the piano regularly at 4 and began writing music at 8. At 14, he put on performances with the music group he founded called “The Well-Tempered Clavichord“.
Despite his legal blindness since birth, he was still determined to be a pianist.
Allison Holker and Twitch Boss – Dancing with the Stars 16 – Video
Allison Holker and Twitch Boss performed on Dancing with the Stars 16 Week 7 Results Show with Lindsey Stirling on violin.
Allison and tWitch are from So You Think You Can Dance.
They’re such a happy couple.
Looking through YouTube … what to post for the last entry, I found this video. I’ve know about Allison from DWTS, about tWitch from the Ellen Degeneres Show, about Lindsey from YouTube.
I follow all of them.
I consider all to be accomplished performers in their respective art form.
Allison Renae Holker (born February 6, 1988) is an American dancer. Holker is credited with a wide variety of work in film, television and concert tours. She is most famously known from her appearances on the TV Show So You Think You Can Dance, where she was a contestant in season 2 and an all-star in seasons 7 through 11.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss (born 1982) is a freestyle hip-hop dancer from Montgomery, Alabama.
tWitch got his nickname, as a child, from popping and ticking, when he couldn’t sit still.
On December 10, 2013, tWitch and fellow SYTYCD alum, Allison Holker, married at Nigel Lythgoe’s Villa San Juliette Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles, Calif.
They had been dating for approximately 2 1/2 years before getting engaged in January 2013.
Through Allison, he gained a stepdaughter named, Weslie, who was born in 2008.
On October 5, 2015, he and Allison Holker announced they were expecting their first child together on the television show “Dancing With The Stars“.
Lindsey Stirling (born September 21, 1986) is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, singer and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her YouTube channel, Lindsey Stirling, which she introduced in 2007.
Stirling performs a variety of music styles, from classical to pop and hip-hop to electronic dance music.
Mike Rowland is the composer of The Fairy Ring, the most successful New Age album of all time.
Mike has composed and released albums that inspire and heal. People find the qualities of the music beneficial and relaxing.
Mike is also an ordained Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counselor. This spiritual ability inspires all his musical composition and work as a Music Practitioner.
Mike is a practitioner in sensory music for Suffolk Schools, Suffolk County Council, Activities Unlimited, and other associated organisations with private patients in need of respite and palliative care. Whether through Occupational Therapy, Healthcare, Social Welfare or through your GP you can now ask for this Music provision. I
Kitarō (born February 4, 1953) is a Japanese recording artist, composer, record producer and arranger who is regarded as a pioneer of New Age music. He is the winner of a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
~Early life: 1954–1976~
Kitaro was born in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan, and is a graduate of Sahid University. After graduating, Kitaro moved to Tokyo to experience and become a part of the music scene, and it was there that he discovered the synthesizer. His first synthesizer was analog, and he recalls having “just loved the analog sound that it made compared to today’s digital sound”.
His parents were first opposed to the idea of their son having a musical career. In an effort to maneuver him towards their vision, they made arrangements for him to take a job at a local company. In return, he left home without telling them. He supported himself by taking on several part-time jobs such as cooking and civil service work, while composing songs at night.
In the early 1970s, he changed completely to keyboards. He joined the Japanese music group Far East Family Band which was formed in 1965, and toured with them around the world. While in Europe, he met the German electronica and former Tangerine Dream member Klaus Schulze. Schulze produced two albums for the band and gave Kitaro some tips for controlling synthesizers. In 1976, Kitaro left Far East Family Band and travelled through Asia (China, Laos, Thailand, India).
~1994 – present~
~Domo Records~
Since his 1994 debut for Domo Records, the Grammy-nominated Mandala, Kitaro has released twelve studio albums. Among them, the live An Enchanted Evening (1995), Gaia-Onbashira (1998), and Ancient (2001) were all Grammy nominated. In 1999, Thinking of You won the Grammy for Best New Age Album. In total, Kitaro’s albums with Domo Records have received 15 Grammy nominations.
~Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai series~
Kitaro’s music has long been recognized for its messages of peace and spirituality. In the wake of 9/11, the artist began recording Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai, a series of peace-themed albums inspired by the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage, the travel of Kūkai more than 1100 years ago. The four volumes in the album series were released in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2011, respectively. The event of September 11 occurred while he was en route from Japan to Los Angeles. Kitaro’s flight was diverted to Honolulu for five days, during which time the conceptual endeavor, which he envisioned as an artistic means to help unify people globally, first took shape. Every track on the 4 volumes of Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai contains samples from ancient Japanese temple bells (Peace Bells) from 88 sacred temples on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
~Impressions of the West Lake~
In 2007, Kitaro composed the music for Impression West Lake, a large-scale opera, directed by the renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou. The opera reflects Hangzhou city’s history and culture through music and dance. Using modern technology, the stage is 75 centimeters below the lake’s surface during the day so as not to affect the landscape and boating activities. In the evening, the stage is a few centimeters below the lake’s surface so actors can walk and perform freely over a surprising water mirror that compose with the lights and colors. The one-hour event had its opening night in March 2007.[10] In 2009, Domo Records released the original soundtrack album Impressions of the West Lake which was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Awards.
~Touring and other activities~
In 2007 to 2009 he launched the ‘Love and Peace World Tour,’ an international tour with which Kitaro hoped to inspire his message of world peace with his music. Kitaro toured Southeast Asia in 2007, Greece in 2008 and Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia in 2009. During his visit to Greece, Kitaro met Greek musician and composer Vangelis, and exchanged musical experience and creative ideas.
In 2010, Kitaro performed in Singapore in March, in Mexico for the Zacatecas Cultural Festival in April, in Xi’an, China for the opening event of Daming Palace National Heritage Park in September, in Aichi, Japan for the Thousand Drums Event at COP10 for the Convention on Biological Diversity in October. From March to April, 2011, Kitaro toured Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. He donated part of the CD sales and concert profits to Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami Relief.
While Kitaro has been touring, Domo Records released Kitaro’s compilation Album, soundtracks to Toyo’s Camera and 442 – Live With Honor, Die With Dignity, as well as the Grammy nominated Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai, Volume 4.
One of my favorite songs by Kitaro appear in this album
~The Light Of The Spirit~
~Uploaded on Apr 4, 2010~
Carlos LHDE
This its my tribute to Kitaro with a compilation of photography taken in Japan by Tomo Yun
~”Song for Peace by Kitaro”~
~Uploaded on Sep 20, 2009~
Dedicated to the United Nations’ International Day of Peace celebrated each year on September 21. Join and spread the Spirit of Peace, because Peace can only prosper as a collective condition of human heart and mind, for the sake of all Children! …. and the Dream of World Peace will become Reality!
The official music video for Dr. Maya Angelou’s “Harlem Hopscotch.”
Dr. Angelou’s inspiring song is featured on the newly released album “Caged Bird Songs,” produced by RoccStar and Shawn Rivera of the R&B vocal pop group Az Yet. The song is about encouraging everyone, especially young people to persevere through life despite any obstacles! The game of hopscotch is symbolic of the difficulties of life and the obstacles that some face, whether they be wealthy or poor. The music video was directed by and features choreography from Emmy award-winning duo Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo, a/k/a NappyTabs, best known for their work on the hit television series “So You Think You Can Dance.”
“Harlem Hopscotch” was shot on location in Harlem, New York, and several Los Angeles locations, including the studios at YouTube Space LA, Venice Beach and downtown Los Angeles. The video features appearances by actress and singer Nia Peeples (“Fame”, “Pretty Little Liars”), dancer/choreographer Derek Hough, actor Alfonso Ribeiro, actress/singer Zendaya, dancer/choreographer Ian Eastwood, Quest Crew and dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.”
Dr. Maya Angelou, an iconic American writer, poet, actor, dancer, director, composer, lecturer, civil activist and one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time, worked on this album prior to her death on May 28, 2014. “Caged Bird Songs” is a unique musical collaboration produced by RoccStar and Shawn Rivera, that thoughtfully blends the iconic poet’s words and vocal performances with contemporary hip-hop beats.
~INFORMATION~
As it appears on the YouTube posting
Dr. Angelou’s grandson, Colin Johnson, reminisces that music was such a huge part of his grandmother’s life. “She loved everything, from pop to country and, of course, hip-hop. With her dedication to social activism and how she illuminated the struggles and injustices of the urban experience through prose, there’s a direct correlation to hip-hop today. She was really excited about her street-wise commentary being presented in this way.”
The spirit of a new day. The bliss of a sunrise. The joy of a new day. The beauty of nature. Serenity, peace, fulfillment and connection to Source.
~~GALLERY~~
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Giovanni Marradi (Born Alexandria, 1955) is a composer, pianist and arranger. He is the son of Italian trumpeter and conductor Alfredo Marradi; his great-grandfather, also named Giovanni Marradi, was a poet and composer.
Giovanni began playing piano at age five, and three years later was sent to study composition and technique with Michael Cheskinov at the Russian Conservatory. He formed his own label, NewCastle Records, and has also hosted his own weekly television series,Giovanni’s World of Music.
In 1998 Giovanni signed with Atlantic Records, making his label debut with Destiny early the following year. Giovanni’s latest release “Because I Love You” won the best New Age CD of the year in Spain for 2010. He is currently preparing for his next television special to be filmed in 2013 from Positano, Italy, with Flamenco guitarist Roni Benise.
It Is What It Is 