David Lanz (born June 28, 1950 in Seattle, Washington) is a Grammy-nominated New Age pianist. He has released 13 albums, each having some chart success.[vague] His most famous album, Cristofori's Dream, topped the New Age charts in 1988, which was Number One on Billboard's first adult alternative/New Age chart for 27 weeks and eventually sold platinum. Natural States peaked at place 125 on the Billboard 200.[1]
Early years
David Lanz attributes his interest in the piano to experiences during his childhood in the Pacific Northwest. He said, "As children, the piano is one of the first 'machines' we come in contact with, and one of the first we are allowed to explore."
One of the other reasons that he enjoyed the piano was because of his mother.[2] His mother played songs by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole on the piano, and became David's first musical mentor.
Lanz started his performing career as a teenager during the 1960s. He played keyboards on Terry Jacks' hit, "Seasons in the Sun". In the late 70's Lanz was musical director of the Seattle band, The Sweep, with Ken McCann as front man singer, Peter Pendras on lead guitar, Glenn Ayers on drums, and Hugh Gerrard on bass. Saxophonist Robbie Jordan was added to the group after a gig in Boise, Idaho. A childhood friend of Lanz', Jeff Simmons, at one time or another played with or filled in for Sweep personnel since Simmons is a multi-instrumentalist.
Later, Lanz shifted to playing solo acts in local clubs. At a nightclub in Seattle, Lanz began to perform his own compositions. "It was the world's first new age piano bar," said Lanz. It was during this time that he began his transition from rock to other more reserved music genres, such as jazz and blues.
Recording career
The 1980s saw the birth of a new type of musical talent in David Lanz. During this time, with the help of a friend of his, he began composing what would be considered New Age music nowadays. From the 1980s and onward, he has released a steady stream of many albums, including his ground-breaking album Heartsounds, his first solo album, which boosted the popularity of his record label, Narada.[3]
Style of David Lanz
Lanz's goal is to have his music create an atmosphere of enlightenment. In an interview with Barnes & Noble, Lanz stated that he wanted to create an atmosphere similar to that of Steven Halpern's music, but with a "more popular hook in it".[4]
Lanz has said himself, "[The piano] is the most divinely inspired instrument on the planet. It presents a great attraction to our left-right brain relationship. My goal is to create entertainment that also provides enlightenment."
In the front of his Musicbook, "The David Lanz Collection", he says: "At the piano, I'm able to communicate in a way that is very intimate and direct. My approach at music is a bit like talking to a friend. You don't have to be very complicated when you speak. If you say what's in your heart, it's usually very simple."
Discography
- 1983 — Heartsounds
- 1984 — Nightfall
- 1985 — Natural States with Paul Speer
- 1985 — Solstice with Michael Jones
- 1987 — Woodlands with Eric Tingstand & Nancy Rumbel
- 1987 — Desert Vision with Paul Speer
- 1988 — Cristofori's Dream
- 1990 — Skyline Firedance (The Orchestral Works/The Solo Works 2 CD set)
- 1991 — Return to the Heart
- 1993 — Bridge of Dreams with Paul Speer
- 1994 — Christmas Eve
- 1995 — Beloved (Collection with unreleased piano solo)
- 1996 — Sacred Road
- 1996 — Convergence with David Arkenstone (Collection of Lanz, Arkenstone)
- 1998 — Songs from an English Garden
- 1999 — An Evening with David Lanz (Live Concert recording)
- 1999 — Cristofori's Dream (remastered with additional track)
- 1999 — The Christmas Album (Collection with several unreleased tracks)
- 2000 — East of the Moon (Grammy Nomination - Best New Age Recording)
- 2000 — Angel in My Stocking - Limited Edition
- 2001 — Love Songs (Collection/additional unreleased track)
- 2002 — Finding Paradise
- 2002 — Romantic: The Ultimate David Lanz Collection (2 CD set)
- 2003 — A Cup of Moonlight (Limited Website Edition)
- 2003 — The Symphonic Sessions (Collection with several unreleased tracks)
- 2003 — Heartsounds/Nightfall (Re-released/re-mastered 2 CD set)*2004 — The Good Life
- 2004 — The Good Life
- 2005 — Spirit Romance with Gary Stroutsos
- 2005 — The Best of David Lanz
- 2006 — Sacred Road Revisited
- 2007 — A Cup of Moonlight (Revised Official Release/additional tracks)
- 2008 — Living Temples with Gary Stroutsos
- 2008 — Painting the Sun
Compilation appearances
External links
Sources
David Lanz, "Solos for New Age Piano" copyright 1991 NARADA Music Inc. pp.2-3
- ^ Biography of David Lanz
- ^ David Lanz Biography
- ^ David Lanz - Artistopia Music
- ^ Barnes & Noble.com Music - New Age Interview
| Persondata |
| NAME |
David Lanz |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES |
N/A |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION |
New Age Musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
June 28, 1950 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH |
Seattle, Washington |
| DATE OF DEATH |
N/A |
| PLACE OF DEATH |
N/A |
