From the Best New Age Artists

Suite Esmerelda for Flute and Piano By Joanne Lazzaro | Album Review

SE_vinyljacket_0010“Suite Esmerelda for Flute and Piano” By Joanne Lazzaro

Review by Dyan Garris, New Age CD,  Zone Music Reporter (ZMR), and “Spirit Seeker Magazine

Full of love and vibrant life, “Suite Esmerelda for Flute and Piano” is a delightful, fun, lively, classical crossover dream. It’s a “must have” for anyone who loves the special symbiotic dance between flute and piano.  – Dyan Garris

Now, here’s a story:  Way back in 1982, Joanne Lazzaro and Eric V. Baum were music majors at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. Eric knew of Joanne’s fondness for Claude Bolling’s “Suite for Flute & Jazz Piano.” So as a gift to Joanne, Eric composed this 3-movement musical Suite in a style similar to that, but with a personal flair for their shared experiences. In 1983, the handwritten musical document traveled with Joanne to New York and then with her to Los Angeles. She had it sitting on a bookshelf all this time.

Joanne went on to become a classically trained flutist who has shared the stage with many notables and even once played for the Prince of Monaco.  Eric went on to become the 1984 winner of the Asher Competition, among many other distinguished musical career accomplishments.  “Suite Esmerelda for Flute and Piano” by Eric V. Baum is Joanne’s 2nd album in the New Age category of “Classical Crossover,” and her first release on vinyl. You can get this digitally or on vinyl, with the vinyl version having a secret bonus track.

Now, why should you get it? Let me explain: What’s very cool about this release is that great care was taken in recording and mastering to be true to the era in all respects. Now here we have Side A and Side B, which are both the 3-movement Suite.  Side A is the classical flute and piano version as was originally written, and Side B features the addition of drum parts and bass, arranged in the original “jazzy” style of Claude Bolling.

The 3-movement Suites are a total of about 15 minutes each, beginning with “Dance of the Snowbound Grasshopper,” followed by “Shabbat,” and finishing up with “Stone Ridge Rag.”  Joanne performs masterfully on a Britannia silver flute. Bryan Pezzone joins on excellent, sensitively played piano performance. On the B side, Miller Wrenn is on bass and Ellington Peet on drums.

The 1st movement, “Dance of the Snowbound Grasshopper,” is upbeat, melodic, and moving. We can feel that grasshopper, a sign of transformation, extricating itself from whatever has previously bound it. Perhaps the “grasshopper” here is a metaphor for our own “selves.” Both piano and flute are exquisite. It’s a great dance all through. On the B side, this is just as fun and lively and definitely “jazzy” with wonderful bass and drums. Quite enjoyable.

Shabbat is Judaism’s day of rest. This 2nd movement, “Shabbat,” is restful, peaceful, and yet also emotionally evocative. Joanne is completely one with her flute – sweet and melodic – and Bryan Pezzone’s piano performance is delightful as well. On the B side, this is just as lovely, with the addition of gentle drums and mellow bass adding nicely to the texture. Very nice!

I believe Stone Ridge is a place in Upstate New York. The 3rd movement, “Stone Ridge Rag,” is full of life and just gorgeous. Flute and piano play so well together here. It’s a fav. It’s even better on the B side. Truly wonderful.

“Suite Esmerelda for Flute and Piano” is a must have for any lover of classical flute, piano, and jazzy-style music. Upbeat, fun and fresh.

The album releases on June 4, 2021. Pre-order begins May 28th, 2021. Listen here:

https://joannelazzaro.hearnow.com/suite-esmerelda-for-flute-and-piano

Official artist website: https://www.kokopelli.la/

Broadcast/media promotion:

LAZZ Promotions: Ed & Stacey Bonk

E-mail: [email protected]

Similar posts
  • Michael Whalen | My Secret Heart | Re...“My Secret Heart: Romantic Meditations for Ambient Piano (20th Anniversary Expanded Edition)” by Michael Whalen Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff I love it when someone gets to the root. What is at the root musically for two-time Emmy® Award-winning composer, Michael Whalen, I believe, is romantic piano pieces. [...]
  • Curtis Macdonald | The Road We Chose ...“The Road We Chose” by Curtis Macdonald Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff We each choose a road to travel on our journey here. And said road has its own soundtrack whether we realize it or not. We have only to listen. And perhaps dance to it. The new [...]
  • Ocean of Light by Ilka de Gast | Revi...“Ocean of Light: Music to Soothe the Soul” By Ilka de Gast Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff   Are you familiar with overtone singing? I thought I was and wasn’t particularly a huge fan. “Ocean of Light” by Ilka de Gast is a game-changer, not just for overtone singing, [...]
  • Hearing Visions | Album Review | Orch...“Hearing Visions” by Orchestra Indigo (Rick Randlett) Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff What if our visionary meditative states had sound? “Hearing Visions” by Orchestra Indigo is a collection of 13 ethereal and otherworldly pieces, that invites listeners to surrender to the soft ambient sounds and let their imaginations [...]
  • Montana Stillwater | Album ReviewMontana Stillwater by Wayo Hogan Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff Many have attempted musical tributes to our national parks. Some do it more effectively than others, actually inspiring a visit or two to a particular park.  There’s definitely an art form to it – bridging the gap between [...]

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

MONTANA STILLWATER – WAYO HOGAN

LISTEN TO THE BEST NEW AGE ARTISTS FOR FREE

Listen to New Age Notes Radio

LUNAR CURRENTS – DAN PALLADINO

VAL GARDENIA: THE IN BETWEEN TIME