Sebastiano Meloni holds a jazz music degree from the Conservatoire in Caliari. He currently lives in Cagliari, Italy, and teaches secondary school Geography, History, and Italian. This new release, Moods and Sketches, features twelve entirely improvised works for piano- the genre for which Meloni is well known.+ “My music is completely improvised… I am not interested in any kind of meaning apart from that which can be derived from musical expression. I try to uncover what music can express in itself, as well as the emotions we could convey with atonal free improvisations.” (Sebastiano Meloni)

Composer and pianist Kenneth Kuhn, after finding the music he wanted to hear did not exist, strove to bring his own musical visions to life. The result, Piano Works of Kenneth Kuhn, is a cathartic journey through the memories and imagination of the composer. Romantic in quality, thematic, memorable, and deeply moving, Kuhn's latest work leaves listeners feeling enriched and enchanted. Kuhn's compositions arose from three main sources: dreams, memories, and spontaneity. In Prelude No. 3 in G-minor, the composer describes the free-flowing second section as having formed on it's own, stating "As if controlled by some external something I literally watched my hands play this without any thought in the process." 'An Alpine Song' formed from a dream of a young Bavarian woman singing and playing guitar in the Alps and what the composer could recall of her exotic melodies upon waking. In 'Ode to Memories,' the composer reminisces on his own past and it's ups and downs, from joyous school years to the sudden death of a dear friend. Sublime in nature and simultaneously tender and haunting, each memorable composition tells it's own story. Piano Works of Kenneth Kuhn bares the heart, mind, and soul of the composer in a beautiful, sentimental fashion. With it's emotional height and depth, nature-inspired melodies, and connection to the sublime, Kuhn's collection both moves and inspires listeners.

AMBIENCE is Big Round Records' latest release from composer Joe Hume. After a decade of working exclusively as a professional pianist, Hume has returned to composing in a big way with this compelling 11-track album of airy original solo piano pieces. The bright, spacious textures of caf� de Paris-the album's first track-sets the tone for what is to follow. Though brief, at less-than three minutes long, the piece breathes peacefully, with it's unhurried motion punctuated by brief modulations. Next one hears Del Mar, a songful, poignant meditation. As the album continues, each piece sets a scene for the listener-The Swan floats with agility between major and minor, while Northern Shore sings with a lilting cadence like waves lapping at a rocky shoreline. Adagio for Strings, previously released as a single in July 2019, is rich and expansive, harnessing the piano's warm lower-middle voice. Nocturne, as it's name suggests, is tender and thoughtful, with long arpeggiated chords rolling seamlessly with the tune in the right hand. Winter's Tale concludes the album, with melodic lines so cleanly crafted that one's mind can almost imagine words hidden in the piano music. Hume writes that he set out to create music that was "melodic, calming, yet powerful in it's delivery." The composer/pianist has no doubt succeeded in this endeavor. As it's title suggests, AMBIENCE could simply be treated as lovely background noise -but that doesn't mean it should be. After all, listeners who take a moment to close their eyes and listen deeply may find Hume's piano is singing for them.

Sound Tapestries

At the age of 47 and on the cusp of the breakthrough that is every artist's dream, the comedian John Kawie suffered a devastating stroke which he thought would derail his career... and life. With the sardonic wit that landed him gigs as a writer/contributor for comedians such as Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, and David Brenner, John focused on his experiences with the stroke and created BRAIN FREEZE, a hysterical, poignant, and affirmative journey through the bumpy road to recovery and beyond. Recorded live at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City in front of a rollicking full house, BRAIN FREEZE is sure to delight those who know just how healthy a laugh can be and to help teach us all that (to quote John) life is indeed at the curb!

Recess Music is proud to present Ocean Motion, the third installment of the Celebrate Earth music series. The thirteen songs on the disc were picked for their focus on educating kids about the ocean's life and habitats. Just like the other discs, Ocean Motion is sure to entertain and educate kids of all ages. Put Ocean Motion in your computer to access exclusive content, including a digital sing-a-long booklet, artist bios, and more!

Recess Music is proud to present Big Bully, the start of the BEST FOOT FORWARD series that helps US realize that all human beings can be equipped to appreciate a world that is wise and fair, and generous hearted.

Papa Mojo's Road House

Recess Music is proud to present Growing Veggie Soup, the second installment of the Celebrate Earth music series. The thirteen songs on the disc were picked for their focus on educating kids about gardening and sustainable farming practices. Like the first disc, Growing Veggie Soup is sure to entertain and educate kids of all ages. Put Growing Veggie Soup in your computer to access exclusive content, including a digital sing-a-long booklet, artist bios, a recipe for veggie soup, and more!

Tuesday Afternoon

Composer and Harpist Anne Vanschothorst’s music has been described as innovative, minimal, lyrical, cinematic, and touching yet intense. The same rings true in THAT I DID ALWAYS LOVE, the artist’s musical ode to the great American poet Emily Dickinson. Featuring seven of the poet’s works set to music, Vanschothorst fosters an intimate listening space where two art forms reach a soothing synthesis, amplifying the elegance of Dickinson’s texts with the graceful nature of the harp, a perfect pairing.

Composed by Phil Scarff and performed by world-jazz ensemble Natraj, RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! shines a contemporary light on historic artwork from India. The members of Natraj individually and collectively bring a wealth of experience exploring the intersection of jazz and global musical traditions. Their stunning performance showcased in this release is wide ranging, deep, and accessible, while firmly rooted in the rich tapestry of Indian classical music. RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! is part of a larger multimedia work created in collaboration with Indian classical dancer Jayshree Bala Rajamani, incorporating dance, music, spoken word, and projected images. It brings to life historic ragamala paintings, with each painting representing one Indian classical raga or melodic framework. Inspired by Modest Mussorgsky and his iconic work, Pictures at an Exhibition, Scarff threads the suite together with musical “promenades” that represent the viewer entering and moving about an art gallery, with each theme anticipating a painting or set of paintings to come. Whether heard on its own or experienced as a full multimedia performance, RAGAMALA PAINTINGS ALIVE! takes listeners on a compelling contemporary journey that celebrates classic ragamala paintings from India.

From genre-smashing composer and keyboardist Miguel Kertsman and drummer Ernie Adams comes IN THE MOMENT, a true-to-its-name album that leaps over musical boundaries and defies any label. The single-take, minimally microphoned recordings capture the raw emotional potential of music and the spontaneity of an intimate recording session. Kertsman’s vintage analog keyboards, bass pedals, and Adams’ drums work in tandem to duck and weave between musical forms, mingling with progressive rock, jazz fusion, Brazilian, Eastern, and more, all seamlessly fused together into one cohesive musical journey.

Concert pianist and composer Michael Arnowitt, assisted by ImproVisions Jazz, makes his Big Round Records debut with Sweet Spontaneous, the title drawn from a poem by e. e. cummings. This album features 14 of Arnowitt's own compositions with the composer himself at the piano, joined by a dozen jazz notables including Yosvany Terry on alto sax, Lucas Pino on tenor sax, Dave Smith on trumpet, and Colin Stranahan on drums. Against the Wind, featuring vocalist Shirley Crabbe, tells the story of a woman summoning the strength to persist in the face of powerful forces. In The Crossing, bassist Rick Rosato's accompaniment to the spoken words of a Langston Hughes poem evolves into a slow groove of brushes, keys, bass, and sax, rendering the listener completely spellbound. Syria-us is the creative culmination of a deep study Arnowitt made of Syrian literature and music in preparation for benefit concerts he organized in 2016 to support humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees. The composer's love of Bulgarian music is shown in Bulgarian Hoedown's wild, exuberant fiddling and Shapka Swing, which opens with a triumphant fanfare that transitions to klezmer before emerging as the energetic gem of the album. Ascent features a reading of Maya Angelou's celebrated poem Still I Rise combined with a flirtatious melody and syncopated accompaniment reflecting the spunkiness of both poet and poem. With Sweet Spontaneous, Michael Arnowitt encapsulates the journey of world music into jazz with dignity, class, and just the right amount of swing. The Washington Post wrote of an Arnowitt concert: "He played with an exquisite sense of touch, color and musical imagination. " Come join Michael Arnowitt as he takes us on voyages into these highly absorbing musical landscapes.

La Mandragore distinguishes itself in two ways: it's energetic and contagious dynamism and it's approach to the music - equal parts musicological rigor and modern creativity. The group presents unique arrangements of ancient melodies and world folk music on a panoply of heterogeneous instruments, from the crumhorn to the nay, from the oud to the bouzouki and the gaida, and a whole range of percussion instruments. La Mandragore has produced 4 prior recordings: it's last, the 2010 release Convivencia, was nominated in the category of "Best World Music Album" by Quebec's ADISQ in 2011.