My musical influences when I was growing up were primarily TV themes,
or music from movies I watched on TV.
After that, it was AM radio, where pop music was played in those days, and Broadway show tunes.
As a pianist, I was influenced by the records of Roger Williams playing Rhapsody In Blue
and Andrew Previn playing jazz arrangements of My Fair Lady.
My father had bought me a Fats Waller album when I was younger.
That and the Previn album were the only contacts I had to jazz.
I played bastardized stride piano because of hearing Waller
and the style of a friend of my father’s who used to come over
to our house and play piano.
In junior high school a friend plaed the John Coltrane record “My Favorite Things” for me
but at that point I really didn’t understand that music too well.
My attention span was way too short for that music and to my ears, there was no melody.
Even today when I am asked who my influences were, I usually say Chico Marx
Jimmy Durante
and Victor Borge
(Jimmy Durante and Victor Borge had TV shows, you know.)
Who did you listen to growing up?
Feel free to leave your comments here!
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve read your amazing book several times over the past 4-5 years. I really identified with the concept of trying to play what I wish I could play, instead of what I already know how to play, or what naturally wants to come out. Also the bit about performing when I should be practicing and vice versa. The first thing your book did for me was drastically improve my approach to teaching. I realize that through obsessing about my playing I’ve learned a lot of things THE HARD WAY! Now I realize that at least my students don’t have to. I’ve been putting a lot of time into applying the concepts put forth in your book (patience, focus, the quiet mind…) and after 17 years of playing music and many times wanting to throw the damn thing out the window, once again my favorite thing to do is pick up my instrument, close my eyes, and just have fun. I don’t know if I would’ve come back this refreshed without your book. Thank you!! Jason H. P.S.when I care this much about a book (David Ray Griffin’s “New Pearl Harbor” comes to mind) I usually end up just giving away my copy to people who seem likely to be moved by it. Needless to say, I’ve bought several copies. I hope they’re out there doing good work.