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Alan Storeygard – JAZZ MEETS THE CLASSICS: “All I can say is – WOW! My high-talent grandmother raised us on classic music, and in fact she played keyboards very adeptly herself – in concert, as well as at home, and I still have visions of her playing songs much like this… BUT, they didn’t have any elements of jazz or blues mixed in… Alan has done a superb job of merging good old American blues and jazz with classics like “Prelude in C Sharp Minor” (Sergie Rachmaninoff)… listen closely at the 3:00 minute mark to hear how wonderful this combination sounds… and Eric Chesher’s orchestration/synthesizer is just marvelous; in addition to Eric, you will also hear Danny Fletcher on Guitar, Dave Rogers doing Drums and Brian Woverton on bass, with Vanil Veigas doing the mastering..
Alan is a fully-rounded talent in many other arenas as well… the promo sheet calls him a “jazz physician” (he’s been a family doctor for nearly four decades in his home turf, Jacksonville, Arkansas), and quotes him saying “Music is medicine for the soul”… I can tell you (in the immediate) that he won’t get any argument from the “Zzaj quarter” with that statement… in point of fact, if we could pipe music like this into the White House and other political abodes as well, I doubt we would be living in such troubled times. I have no doubt that if we could get the POTUS to sit back & groove to Alan’s interpretation of “Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony“, with his Alan Storeygard trio, things would change (for the better) in a hurry… what a nice blend of jazz and classical this tune turned out to be!
For this reviewer, though, it is the tasty fusion of Alan’s superb piano on “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire” (Bach) that captured my vote for personal favorite of the nine songs offered up for your aural pleasure… thinking back to my grandmother on her piano bench in Erie, Pennsylvania (where I grew up), this is exactly the kind of song I can see her playing… and if she were still around to listen to Doctor Storeygard’s masterful approach to this inspiring piece of music, I’ve no doubt she would contact him and thank him for his healing abilities. This is Grammy material for sure! If you’re looking for music that is full of both anchors to our musical past and delicious reminders of how far we’ve moved forward, you’ll definitely want to purchase this great album. I give Alan and his crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this beautiful sonic experience. Get more information about Alan and his projects by reading his bio on the Alan Storeygard website.
Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“Alan and his friends play extremely well and this CD is a wonderful result of that. They immediately set up an atmosphere rich with flavor. Dr. Storeygard is a multi-talented artist always eager to explore, share, while creating his own musical language in the competitive world of the jazz scene. With brooding melodies, a swing that defines the life of melodies, space that allows music to unfold on its own terms. Alan knows when to step aside and allow another to enter, and each musician shines as part of it. Alan’s music is a generous search on a quest for the divine.”
Dr. Salvatore Moltisanti – President & Founder, IBLA Foundation & IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition -2014, commenting about “New Directions”
“When Dr. Storeygard performed at Carnegie Hall, his exquisite soothing church jazz tone filled the air with grace and spirituality. His warm gospelly vibe won him legions of fans. The hall became a place of worship, full of joy and different shades of supplication. A highly enjoyable contemplative piano playing that strikes just the right chord.”
“He continues to entertain audiences, compose new music, and shares it with us now again with his third CD – featuring the same outstanding quality as his two previous productions. Music enthusiasts the world over will find this CD simply irresistible.”
Dr. Salvatore Moltisanti – President & Founder, IBLA Foundation & IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition – 2010, commenting about”Third Time’s a Charm”
“Thoroughly enjoyed this album. “New Directions” is mainly an instrumental offering, with fantastic vocals on a few songs. The musicianship is top-notch and so is the sound and production. The songs flow seamlessly into each other. It works beautifully as an easy listening album. I would highly recommend this album.”
Ricky Kej – 2015 Grammy Winner for Best New Age Album “Winds of Samsara.”
“Alan Storeygard is a masterful pianist, and this collection really demonstrates his marvelous abilities. Highly recommended.”
Laura Sullivan – 2014 Grammy Winner for Best New Age Album “Love’s River.” 2014, Pianist, composer for TV & Film, commenting about “New Directions”
“This album is probably my favorite of Alan Storeygard’s work. It contains some fun renditions of holiday standards as well as other beautiful pieces so delightfully played by the piano master, Alan Storeygard. A stand-out is his original “Remembering You” which is composed and performed with wonderful tenderness.” 4/10/13
Laura Sullivan – 2014 Grammy Winner for Best New Age Album “Love’s River.” commenting about “Just Havin’ Fun.”
” A vibrant and eclectic recording, played with honesty and sincerity. Alan Storeygard is spreading his wings with no shortage of exuberance, and he invited us to come along for the fun ride.”
Christopher Tin – 2011 Grammy Winner for Best Classical Crossover Album & and for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist, “Calling All Dawns, commenting about “New Directions” 2014
“Alan Storeygard is truly a special renaissance man. He is without a doubt a doctor who cares for his patients with the same passion that he approaches his art. He has often entertained my guests who along with me think he is the best jazz pianist west of the Mississippi.”
Vincent Insalaco – Movie Producer, Author, and Political Activist whose films include “War Eagle Arkansas” and “Warrior Champions”
“You are a soulful and brilliant musician. I felt the arrangements transported me to a different realm altogether…… Words fail me……..You moved me so.”
Chandrika Tandon – 2011 Grammy Nominee in Contemporary World Music 2014, commenting on “New Directions.”
“Alan Storeygard’s new CD is easy listening in the best sense of the phrase. He has an easy, relaxed style that invites the listener to come on in and spend some quality time enjoying good music together. There are echoes of one of his music heroes Ramsey Lewis, as well as the great Horace Silver, and many others that make Alan’s pianism as easy and enjoyable as an old friendship.”
Jeff James – Jeffery James Art Consulting, President – 4 Tay Records 2010, commenting about “Third Time’s a Charm.”
“It takes a bit of artistic nerve to program an album without a truly up-tempo selection until Track 14! Alan Storeygard does this and pulls it off amazingly well with a wonderful collection of beautifully selected, performed, and recorded tunes from the jazz, classical, and popular worlds, his own harmonically lush imagination, and, of course, Ramsey Lewis. Beauty, inspiration, and music to soothe the soul are all here – and we’re the better for it.”
Jeff James- Jeffery James Art Consulting, President – 4 Tay Records 2014, commenting about “New Directions”
“Alan Storeygard presents a wide variety of interesting and compelling material on this CD. His music speaks of sensitivity both to the tradition and richness of jazz and classical music, and yet it swings and grooves in all the right places.”
Scott Healy- 2014 Grammy Nominee for Best Instrumental Composition for “Koko on the Boulevard from “Hudson City Street,” by the Scott Healy Ensemble 2014, commenting on “New Directions”
“Storeygard is a genius, a renaissance man – a world-class pianist, composer, physician, and artist. While he’s been influenced by Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, and Oscar Peterson, and Bill Evans, his own unique style has emerged which rivals all of these jazz greats.”
Garrick Feldman – Editor-in-chief Arkansas Leader, Jazz & Blues Critic
“WOW!” “That’s what I said to my wife as we listened to “New Directions.” I’ve been writing and recording children’s songs for 43 years, and I like listening to different styles of music when I’m not working. “New Directions” is one of the most unusual jazz albums I’ve ever heard. The fusion of so many styles of music on this disc is magnificent. “Dancing With the In Crowd” defies any listener to stand still. The rhythmic pianos came smoking through my speakers. The entire album will lift you up, ease you down, and you’ll want to play it again and again. I take my hat off to Alan, his trio, and his friends.”
Bobby Susser – 5 Million CDs sold, 43 National Awards, Member of The Recording Academy, Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Teachers College, Columbia University
“I have all of Alan’s works and enjoy his musical creativity – teasing resolution with a certain chordal dissonance that is enjoyable listening for the professional or non-professional music lover.”
Julian Sparkes – Former Lead Trumpet Player for Wayne Cochran and the C.C. Riders
“As soon as that first note strikes our ears, one feels the passion. At the same time, one can tell that these musicians are having fun. This is fun. “New Directions” is an album filled with creativity, taking us different paths, whether it would be expressed through jazz, classical, or a liturgical idiom….a reflection of musicians who clearly embrace life and music fully.”
Vicente Avella – pianist, member of The Recording Academy, 2013 Global Music Award Winner for “All the Days of My Life.” Winner for Best Solo Piano Album by One World Music, Nominee for Best Album of the Year by solopiano.com
“Great Music! I have two of Storeygard’s CDs. Every track is a winner. I would highly recommend “Church Jazz”to anyone. By the way Storeygard’s LIVE performances are exquisite.
RB McGrath, World-class artist, commenting about “Church Jazz” and “Just Havin’ Fun.” RB McGrath painted the covers for my 3rd and 4th CDs and likely will for my 5th.