Rada Neal Releases Solo Piano Album ’13th Threads’

May 16, 2025

Immerse yourself in the heartfelt world of 13th Threads, a collection of original solo piano pieces composed and performed by Rada Neal. This deeply expressive album offers a journey through the emotional landscapes of memory, love, and serenity—each note a gentle companion for quiet moments of reflection.

Through the universal language of instrumental music, Rada captures the highs and lows of the human experience, allowing listeners from all walks of life to connect with the soul of each melody.

The album concludes with a unique and meditative experience: A series of short musical themes, presented in six sets of six, each offering a few minutes of contemplative calm. These unnamed pieces are designed to center the mind and soothe the spirit, perfect for moments of introspection or mindfulness.

13th Threads is more than an album—it’s a sanctuary of sound, an emotional landscape painted in piano, and an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what matters most.

Rada Neal began her life in a refugee camp in Germany, the daughter of two Yugoslavian refugees. Her family survived and her parents realized their dream of moving their family to a safe and prosperous environment, moving to Indiana soon after World War II. Rada’s first piano was given to her family by their neighbors, who were moving and didn’t wish to take their heavy piano with them. Eight men were seen lowering the piano down the stairs into Rada’s family’s basement. Rada was curious about the instrument, and as soon as her mother noticed her interest, piano lessons began.

Fast forward and Rada has graduated from The School of Music @ Indiana University and performed in a concert @ Carnegie Hall, The Grand Ole Opry and the 1987 Super Bowl halftime show. Composing music came later in life. Rada has 13 cds of original compositions and 1 cd of her personal Christmas arrangements. She continues to write, practice and perform for private events. Her music can be heard on all the major streaming platforms.

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Peter Calandra Releases Album ‘Night Mist’

May 16, 2025

Drift into the stillness of twilight with Night Mist — a contemplative, ambient pianocentric album from acclaimed composer and pianist Peter Calandra. Known for his evocative and cinematic style, Calandra invites listeners into a world of gentle melodies, delicate textures, and atmospheric soundscapes.

Each track on Night Mist unfolds like a quiet conversation with the night — introspective, calm, and emotionally resonant. The piano takes center stage, evoking the hush of evening rain, the rustle of leaves, and the distant shimmer of stars.

“Peter Calandra, with an extensive background in Broadway, has an ability to create moments of tranquility and contemplation in today’s frenetic, fast paced world offering listeners a retreat through his music.” (MelodicMag.Com:)

Peter Calandra is a prolific composer and keyboard player. Three of his albums — First Light (2015), The Road Home (2017) and Carpe Noctem (2018) were nominated for ZMR Awards. His jazz funk track, Neptune Beach was a 2023 Hollywood Independent Music Awards Nominee while another jazz based track, Bleecker Street, was the 2023 Clouzine Magazine “Best Jazz Funk” winner. In 2024 his track Mixed Emotions was a Hollywood Independent Music Awards Nominee. In 2025 his track September In Rio was the 2025 Clouzine Magazine Best Brazilian song.

Calandra has scored over 100 films and written over 2000 compositions for television. He has composed the FIFA World Cup Theme for FOX Sports, the Special Olympics World Games and Invictus Games Theme for ESPN and the Kennedy Center Honors from 2015 thru 2020. As a keyboard player he performed in the Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera, and Little Shop Of Horrors. He also performed with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, NY Pops Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Don Cherry, Aretha Franklin, Allen Ginsberg, Annie Golden, Donna McKechnie, Lillianne Montevecchi, and spent 16 years as the keyboard player in the NYC-based Climax Band, the creative vehicle for artist and musician Larry Rivers.

Currently, Calandra is on the faculty at the Aaron Copland School Of Music at Queens College, CUNY teaching Audio/MIDI, Film Scoring and Music Composition to both graduate and undergraduate students. He is also a Yamaha Endorsed Artist.

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Larkenlyre Releases EP ‘The Dream Within The Dream’

May 12, 2025

When we sleep at night and imagine scenarios that have never taken place, or maybe relive ones that have, we call it a dream. When we stop in the course of our day, and instead of doing something, become wrapped in the thought of a time in the past, or a time to come, we call it a dream. When we think of how it might be if our life or the world were much different than it is now, we call it a dream.

If we feel we don’t belong, or if we have no home at all, we might dream of sanctuary. If we are old, we might dream of childhood. If we struggle to find peace, we might dream of an idyll. If we had loves long ago that are still vivid, we might dream of our loves long past. If we have love now, we might dream of growing old together.

Dogen Zenji one day realizes, “These plum blossoms which I’ve been seeing every day are the udumbara flower, which blooms only once every three thousand years.”

All of this, the arc of the sparrow’s flight, the light on the horizon as the new day begins, the aroma of a cooking breakfast, water flying wildly over a cliff as the spring snows melt, every Shakespeare play, every Sibelius symphony, the moon rising to begin another night, the leaves falling from eighty million trees as they prepare for winter, the discovery of a hundred billion galaxies outside our own, the sound of a piano hammer striking its string, a footprint in the snow, all of it, the dream within the dream.

Matthew Labarge has released seven albums of solo piano music, eight albums of mixed instruments (some as artist name Larkenlyre), and an album of pirate-themed lounge music (as artist name Cane Bay Cabaret). He works tirelessly in a tiny studio in Blacksburg, Virginia to bring you albums that unfold like a novel, are worth listening to carefully, and still yield new insights after many listens.

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Stephen Wallack Releases Album ‘Open’

March 27, 2025

The last couple of years have been an intense period of reflection and gratitude. Reflecting on the chaotic world that we live in, it can be difficult to find the beauty in the lives we each live. My personal journey has been trying to “open” myself up to new ideas, new people, and challenging myself to see life through multiple lenses. We all have gifts to share with the world that make it a better place, but finding that confidence, patience and grace can be easier said than done.

OPEN is my journey to connect with a deeper self-awareness and a greater hope that we can all find that inner peace we so desperately need.

“When I write,” Wallack says, “I picture the music moving to film.”

At age fourteen, Wallack took a leap of faith: he stopped playing the music he was hearing and started playing the music he was imagining. Overflowing with ideas, emotions, and concepts, music became the natural manner Wallack expressed himself. Inspired by the grandiose feelings of George Winston’s music and the rich imagery within film scores, Wallack set out on his path as a writer – a path whose direction became clearer through the help of a friend named Mike McCready.

Mike McCready, better known as the guitarist for iconic ‘90s rock band Pearl Jam, became Wallack’s first guitar teacher, and gave him his first guitar. McCready’s influence led Wallack to expand his musical tastes, and as his sonic preferences widened to include artists like Soundgarden, Tom Petty, and Neil Young, his focus on his craftsmanship became more acute.

“I’m beyond fortunate to have the friendship with [Mike] that I have,” Wallack says. “He really has inspired me to continue pursuing my passion for music.”

During the past five years, Wallack released five full-length albums: “Chapters”, “Stories”, “Reflections”, “Colors”, and “Wondering”. All albums which capture and bring to life moments and memories that have defined and inspired Stephen.

“OPEN” is his sixth solo piano release.

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Bob Yonker Releases Album ‘Reminiscence’

March 20, 2025

The songs on this album were entirely composed in the moment during the recording session. It is always my intent to just allow the musical tones and energy of the Universe to flow through to create an album that will “speak” to the listeners in whatever way is needed.

Bob Yonker creates solo piano music with the intent of calming the mind, soothing the soul, and healing the planet one note at a time.

At the age of 4, Yonker began piano lessons, but after a year, his teacher realized that Bob was playing by ear and not reading the notes. Bob had had his sister play the song for him and Bob would then learn it by listening, and was “found out” after playing his piece for a recital in the wrong key. He later did learn how to read, but has always been more comfortable playing his own style and his own compositions best.

Being told by colleges that his style of music was not what they were looking for without classical training, Bob decided to change career paths and received a degree in agricultural science from Penn state, and worked many years helping the environment, while working second jobs in group homes for the mentally challenged, which he enjoyed immensely, as well as being the organist for his hometown church.

In the 90’s, while still working full-time, Bob went back to school and received a triple degree in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood Education, which allowed him to switch career paths once again to become a special needs teacher.

Now “re-passioned” from his teaching career, Bob has returned to his first love – music – and has composed 8 albums of contemplative, contemporary, and meditative solo piano music as well as one Christmas album. His 9th, and latest, album, Reminiscence, is an improvisational album completed on the spot at the recording studio. As with all of Bob’s music, it is played with the intent to bring calm, joy and maybe even emotional healing to the listener. Bob has performed for local fans in the town where he lives and has started collaborating with other musicians to perform at local care centers.

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‘Washed Away’ Solo Piano EP by Sarah Dukes

January 3, 2025

“Washed Away” presents five original piano solos, each a unique musical journey characterized by stirring energy and resonating melodies. This collection was brought to life through a deeply personal journey of loss and healing. The music delves into a range of emotions, from hopeful optimism to introspective contemplation, inviting listeners to connect with the raw emotions expressed. This EP is a testament to the healing power of music, offering an unforgettable listening experience.

“The music of Sarah Dukes is a genuine reflection of Sarah’s dedication to the discipline of composition. Her joyous, yet technical and respectful approach to the piano provides an attractive mix of what piano composition is all about. She is a bright light in the world of solo piano music.”

Matthew Mayer, Owner/Founder SoloPiano.com

“[Sarah’s] music is melodic, graceful, and very expressive…it communicates from one heart to another.”

Kathy Parsons, MainlyPiano.com

Sarah Dukes is a mother of six, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice, and an award-winning composer and songwriter. Sarah’s collection of original music is featured on dozens of global radio stations, international airlines’ in-flight entertainment systems, including Singapore Airlines, and can be heard on TV’s number one daytime drama, The Young and the Restless.

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Neil Patton Releases Album ‘The Small Hours’

October 23, 2024

The Small Hours-Cover Art Neil Patton copy

One night, many stories. These are musical narratives of the nighttime hours as they are experienced the world over. Spawned largely during the stressful months of pandemic shutdowns and social turmoil, these pieces were a source of solace and peace as Neil intentionally composed in a quieter vein.

“Musically, Neil is at the top of his game. The album is perfectly produced and the tone of Neil’s piano is to die for. How he created the tone is a mystery. The Small Hours is a perfect solo piano collection. Highly recommend.”

– Fonz Tramontano of Clouzine, Contemporary Music Magazine

About Neil

Neil Patton is a pianist, composer, singer and teacher in Eugene, OR. His music for solo piano is a unique fusion of Classical, Folk and Rock influences that has emotionally impacted listeners around the globe. He is an honors graduate of the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, and has released six critically acclaimed collections of original solo piano music since 2007.

His 2015 album, Between Shadow and Light (#13 on Zone Music Reporter Airplay Charts) was awarded Album of the Year at MainlyPiano.com, and his 2022 album Holy Ground won Christian Album of the Year 2022 at SoloPiano.com. His single Water of Life (from his debut album, Impromptu) reached the #23 spot on the Whisperings top 100 in 2012, and was one of 16 tracks included on the popular Whisperings Vol I: Music to Quiet Your World album released in 2011. Clockwork, a duet composed and recorded with legendary pianist David Nevue, was released on Nevue’s critically acclaimed album, Winding Down, and was named Song of the Year, 2015 at MainlyPiano.com.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbL0X3B4mjg

Fiona Joy Hawkins & Rebecca Daniel ‘Uncertainty’ (Official Video)

August 8, 2024

Fiona Joy Hawkins & Rebecca Daniel Release Album ‘Enchantment’

July 25, 2024

The album release of their latest opus ‘Enchantment’ on July 26th
Classical Pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins and violinist Rebecca Daniel

Enchantment, the latest project from pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins and violinist Rebecca Daniel, follows in the musical footsteps of their previous collaborations. This time the duo pays homage to the great impressionist painters and composers. Throughout the album. works and track titles reference great artists like Satie, Monet, and Van Gogh. The music is impressionistic, beautiful and relaxing as if Debussy’s ghost was in the room.