|
Pianist, keyboard player and composer Jeff Sawyer has been a staple on the upstate New York music scene for years. His numerous recording sessions and appearances as a back up musician for various pop and country acts including his tenure in the critically acclaimed New Age Duo, Dreamscape have made him a recognizable name to many. Sawyer has five solo albums to his credit, as well as producing the New York Fingerlakes Sampler CD in which several area musicians are showcased. Sawyer’s five albums, “Without Shores”, The Wellspring Within”, “Celebrating the Holiday Season”, “Sawyer Plays The Standards” and the latest release” Country Classics” consist of recordings that feature mostly solo piano, or piano with some additional instrumentation and orchestration. These albums show a compelling musician; one who has spent over two decades both in the studio writing, producing and engineering, as well as on the stage. All five albums were written, recorded and produced in Sawyer’s studio of which he owns and operates. Sawyer’s first album, Without Shores had been a long time coming. The Sawyers have spent the last several years living in the scenic Upstate New York village of Fair Haven which sits right on the shore of Lake Ontario. “Being able to interpret the music from the natural settings of this incredible area and interpret it into music as I heard it in my head was a great experience.” The follow up album “The Wellspring Within” came out as a natural transition from the first album. “The Wellspring Within” is a little more up beat with Sawyer showcasing his jazz chops, yet still keeping the music light and melodic. These solo projects came about as Sawyer was working on material for his previous music project, Dreamscape, a New Age duo formed with guitarist Thomas Scott III. “A lot of the compositions that I wrote for Dreamscape would begin on the acoustic piano. Eventually, I realized that a great deal of the songs would work best in a simpler setting”. “Celebrating The Holiday Season” is several of Sawyer’s favorite Christmas carols. This is a relaxed and reflective CD that is perfect for the holidays. “Sawyer Plays The Standards” came to life by recording the entire album in Sawyer’s living room in one afternoon. “I wanted to make it feel like someone was sitting right in my living room for a informal concert” states Sawyer. It was recorded on a rebuilt 1901 Kakaurer Grand piano and is filled with some of the most popular Standards of all time. The Country Classics is Sawyer’s latest release and is comprised of all solo piano pieces of country genre. This album was inspired and dedicated to Sawyer’s father who has always loved country music. It includes favorites from Willy Nelson, The Eagles, Garth Brooks, Pasty Cline and others. Sawyers past musical endeavors are greatly varied. He has had the pleasure of entertaining well known people such as Bill and Hilary Clinton, Frank McCourt and Al Roker to name a few. Sawyer spent time as musical director and pianist for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and American Hawaii Cruise Lines. He has played keyboards for Rocker Todd Hobin, Country sensations Chasen Powell and Ciara Lynn and Jazz artists ESP. Sawyer has been part of bands that have shared the stage with artists Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, Kansas, Trace Adkins, Survivor and Steppenwolf. In addition to performing, Sawyer has co-written over 30 songs for various children’s shows on the Learning Channel and PBS Network. He has not only produced and recorded his own albums, but over 30 other musicians and bands as well. A graduate of Syracuse University Masters program, Sawyer currently works in music education. Sawyer, his wife and two daughters reside in beautiful upstate New York near Lake Ontario, which he finds as inspiration for his music. For further information contact: Jeff Sawyer 13832 Shortcut Road Sterling, NY 13156 sawyerstudios@frontiernet.net 315.564.6915 |