This is the first sketch I wrote in preparation for my new solo CD. It’s a 5/4 ostinato played on kalimba with melody played on suling. The ostinato is also doubled with an Omnisphere patch called “Glass Xylophone.” The purpose of writing these sketches is to get some ideas out and try not to get too caught up in creating a finished product. Once I have 24 sketches, I’m going to pick the best 10-12 to develop into full length tracks.
Sketch 1
New Solo Project
This year I’ve decided to write and record a solo CD. The concept is to create world fusion music that can be used for yoga, meditation, or plain old relaxation. Most of the tracks will probably be pretty up-beat. I want it to be music that is interesting enough to actively listen to, which is somewhat different from some of the “meditation” music I’ve been listening to on Pandora and other places.
As part of this process, I’ve revamped my website a bit and am going to be making an effort to blog at least twice a week. I want my website to be a resource for DIY musicians, world music enthusiasts, and people (like me) that enjoy playing exotic instruments. I’m really looking forward to the journey!
BMI Workshop: Final Project
We recently wrapped up the BMI film composing workshop with a recording by ETHEL, the Manhattan-based string quartet. The session was engineered by Steve Addabbo at Shelter Island Sound. I took the recorded strings and added trombones, percussion, harp and some electronic sounds. Click the play button below to listen to the final product!
BMI Film Scoring Mentorship Program
I was recently selected to be one of 9 participants and BMI’s Film Scoring mentorship program! Click here for more info.
Amy Winehouse
I was startled to find out the sad news about Amy Winehouse. My band had already planned on playing her song, You Know I’m No Good, that night and we decided to make it into a little tribute to her. Someone filmed the last part of our performance and posted it on Facebook. Here’s a link — http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2305290716400
Lady in White
This is the processional music I wrote for my sister’s wedding. Sarah DeGennaro played the violin part.
South Orange Symphony
I will be playing flute with the South Orange Symphony on Sunday, February 20, at 3:00 p.m. This is a free concert! A silent auction to benefit the symphony will be held during intermission.
Performance Location:
South Orange Middle School
Sterling Hall (School Auditorium)
70 North Ridgewood Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
Scheduled Program:
- Khachaturian – Adagio from Spartacus
- Wagner – Overture to Rienzi (the Last of the Tribunes)
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Like the Lamb Arrangement
Like the Lamb is the first single released by 40 Nights. For this arrangement, I went all out with a cinematic intro that includes string orchestra and various ambient sounds. The band’s violinist soars around a Middle-Eastern sounding vocal that I sang myself. The main body of the song features 2-part vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, violin, and rhodes piano. For the end, Keaton asked me to supply a “cacophony of alleluias,” so I wrote 3 vocal lines that weave in and out of each other.
Listen to Like the Lamb:
You can view the score by clicking here.
The song is available for digital download on iTunes.
Keaton Douglas – lead vocals
Sarah DeGennaro – violin
Kevin Mazur – acoustic guitar, vocals
Tony Ventura – bass
Dave DeGennaro – drums
Arranged by William Arnold.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Badami at Portrait Recording Studios.
Christmas Memories
Christmas Memories is a new song by Anna Dihné and Tom Yates. This is the first single for Days of Rain members Anna Dihné and Paul Allegretta. The song is now available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon. Click here to get your copy now! The song is also available in Swedish under the title Julminnen.
Anna Dihné – lead vocals
Paul Allegretta – acoustic guitar
Eliot Bailen – cello
Tony Ventura – bass
Arranged and produced by William Arnold.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Chris Badami at Portrait Recording Studios.
Christmas Bells Are Ringing!
After two days at Portrait Recording Studios, the Yates Music Group recording of Christmas Bells is complete. The song was written by Tom Yates with the help of lyricist Liz George. Here is a list of the people involved:
Keaton Douglas: Lead Vocals
Kevin Mazur: Electric Guitar
Stu Yates: Bass
Chris Badami: Drum Set, Recording Engineer, Mixer
William Arnold: Arranger
We also had a fabulous choir made up of local high school and college students: Nicole Garamella, Emma van Ingewen, Elyse Rodgers, Rebecca Conaway, Michael Hardenberg, Drew Gomes, Alex Eliasof.
The song will be available for digital download soon on iTunes and Amazon worldwide!
