Franz Liszt (1811, Doborján, Hungary - 1886, Bayreuth, Germany)(Hungarian: Ferencz Liszt, in modern usage Ferenc Liszt, from 1859 to 1865 officially Franz Ritter von Liszt) (October 22, 1811 – July 31, 1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist and teacher. He was also the father-in-law of Richard Wagner. Liszt became renowned throughout Europe for his great skill as a performer during the 1800s.
The Tealeaves sound is inspired by the era of the great singer-songwriters, including Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel and Don McLean. Their music overflows with melody, harmony and lyrical honesty, and has been described as “heart wrenching to say the least”. James, the original leaf, gathered the group together in 2008 to prepare and record their self-titled debut album with eminent producer and engineer, Hadyn Buxton. Traversing a wide range of musical styles, their songs range from harmony filled wall-of-sound band tracks to intimate, melancholy indie-pop.
Young Heretics are the brainchild of Melbourne based duo, Kitty Hart and Matthew Wright - eccentric twins, both with a love of warped pop music and sonic invention. The dual vocal attack incorporates theatrical soundscapes, driving beats and a massive selection of other instruments to create a dynamic and inventive sound unlike any Australian music created before it. After leaving the hugely successful band "The Getaway Plan for the project, Matthew stated Kitty was his favourite lyricist of all time - the musical chemistry between the two is evident throughout every aspect of their sound...
A composer and performer of meditative solo piano music and reflective, inspiring songs. Influences on the piano music include the minimalism of Steve Reich and the rich harmony and melody of Eric Satie, with hints of post-rock and downtempo electronica. The piano album Valentine Court was released in 2006. An album of songs, Mindfulmess, is released in UK and Australia in 2012, blending songwriting influences such as Brian Wilson and Paul Simon with lyrics influenced by a Buddhist spiritual journey.
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer is an American vocalist, pianist and performance artist, best known for her work as one half of The Dresden Dolls. Born in 1976, she grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts and received her B.A. from Wesleyan University. She attended Lexington High School, where she was very involved in the drama department. Amanda sometimes has Lexington High School students perform drama pieces at her shows. Before she was in the Dresden Dolls, she was in a band called "Amanda Palmer and the Void". In October of 2000, she met Brian Viglione, a drummer; together they formed the Dresden Dolls.
In the 2005, WNFX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll Amanda Palmer won Best Female Vocalist.
Amanda has performed as a living statue called “The Eight Foot Bride†in Harvard Square as well as in many other locations.
Her solo album entitled “Who Killed Amanda Palmer†was released in September 2008, and was produced by Ben Folds, who also appears on the album. Zoë Keating also appears on several tracks.
In 2009, she pleaded with her label, Roadrunner Records, to drop her from their roster. She has been vocal about this in interviews and in concert, even dedicating a song called "Please Drop Me" that is sung to the tune of "Moon River."
On January 15, 2010, writer Neil Gaiman announced on his official blog that he and Palmer were engaged to be married.
On March 30, 2010, the album "Evelyn Evelyn" was released, as a collaborative work with Jason Webley.
On July 20, 2010, Palmer released a solo EP of Radiohead covers, entitled "Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele".
In January of 2011, Palmer and Gaiman announced that they were now legally married. Palmer also released a new studio album, Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under.
On January 21, 2011, Palmer released "Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, an album with an Antipodean theme featuring songs that Palmer wrote about, or while in, Australia and New Zealand. Artists the album features include The Young Punx, Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls, The Jane Austen Argument, Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, and Lance Horne.
In March of 2012, Palmer announced a formation of a new band called "Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra." They first released a cover of Nirvana's song "Polly." In May 2012, she raised over 1 million dollars to fund the release of the band's new album, "Theatre is Evil," via Kickstarter. The album was released in September of 2012. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
Andrew McMahon (born September 3, 1982) is a Maverick recording singer/songwriter and the vocalist, pianist and main songwriter for the band Jack's Mannequin and the Geffen/Drive-Thru Records band Something Corporate.
He was diagnosed with Leukemia on June 1st, 2005. On August 23rd, 2005, Andrew recieved a stem cell transplant, the donor was his sister Katie McMahon.
The Tealeaves sound is inspired by the era of the great singer-songwriters, including Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel and Don McLean. Their music overflows with melody, harmony and lyrical honesty, and has been described as “heart wrenching to say the least”. James, the original leaf, gathered the group together in 2008 to prepare and record their self-titled debut album with eminent producer and engineer, Hadyn Buxton. Traversing a wide range of musical styles, their songs range from harmony filled wall-of-sound band tracks to intimate, melancholy indie-pop.
Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and strongest musical influence. Mrs. Glasper not only played piano and sang gospel music in the family's church, she led a band that worked the city's jazz and blues club circuit as well. By the age of twelve, young Robert was playing piano in that church. "Gospel music is built on emotion and spirituality; you go to church and leave crying," he smiles. "It definitely just gave me that sensitivity and knowing how to reach people and knowing how to be in tune with your feelings and the emotion of the music. My thing is, it helps me relate to the audience 'cause they're gonna give you what you give them. When you bring the crowd into your world, you can do anything you want."
By the time he reached adolescence, Robert knew his destiny was to be a jazz musician. He was accepted to the Houston's famed High School for the Performing Arts ("Jason Moran went there before me."). Post-graduation, Glasper enrolled at New School University in Manhattan. Soon after arrival, he hooked up with future bandmember Reid and vocalist Bilal, an old schoolmate. As an undergrad, Glasper gigged with Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Kenny Garrett. Professional life after the New School was even sweeter: stints with Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, and Carly Simon.
The Bilal connection brought the pianist back to hip-hop. Glasper's contributions to Bilal's debut and subsequent tour brought him to the attention of Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest). "Tip would come hang out at my shows, and one day he called me and said, ‘I'm doing this tour and I need you to play keys. Can you do it?’†He's also since played with Mos Def, and is featured prominently on Bilal's forthcoming sophomore release.
In 2003, Glasper's first album Mood was released on indie label Fresh Sound New Talent, and two years later, Blue Note came calling. At Blue Note, Glasper joins a jazz piano legacy that stretches back to 1939, beginning with Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, and continuing through Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, Jason Moran and Bill Charlap. Undaunted, Glasper reflects, “I’m just happy to be a part of the Blue Note family and its rich history.â€
-- From Glasper's Official Website Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.