That's enough polishing - kicking off 2024 with grace, and picking up where I left off: releasing my music, developing merchandise, collaborating, and locking in performances. Keep a look out for upcoming music, and stay tuned into the journey.
'Polished Time' - this title couldn't be anymore accurate with how life unfolded for me. Thankfully I was able to write this seven piece contemporary piano solo series, before my life decided to give me 3 intense years of lecturing.
Since 2021, I have been working on or (polishing) myself with life lessons coming in waves at every angle! Plenty of silver linings as I weathered the 3 year storm.
With a few positive mentions: performing sporadically within the years, traveling with short and distant trips, producing music for my first Austin based theatrical, a short film still pushing limits in film festivals, connecting with Barbara my first manager within my career, and for another win, finding my dream recording studio!
Above: Studio Hill - Austin, Texas
Above: Barbara (manager) & I at our very first meeting
Above: attending the B. Iden Payne Awards in Austin, Texas
I'd like to highlight this major experience that happened to me in 2022 - because after 7 years of searching, I finally found my dream recording studio in the hill country of Austin, Texas, thanks to my friend and go to Master Piano Tuner, JoeJoh.
Above: The 1940 Model B Steinway Grand Piano & I
One reason why I had yet to release my music to the public was because I didn't feel confident with the recording sessions I landed over the years. After 6 plus full album takes, a few locations, recording engineers and multiple technical difficulties within a 5 year time span; I got burned out.
Finally, I was able to settle my mind and record my piano work behind a 1940 Model B Steinway Grand Piano, within the walls of Studio Hill! Recording in a true studio was a dream; have a listen for yourself, and follow on Spotify.
To close this recording session out - these piano pieces were recorded by Grammy Award Winning Veteran Recording Engineer (Gerhard P. Joost), who has worked with major artists like: Stevie Wonder, Usher, Missy Elliot, Timbaland to name a few.
Above: Gerhard (Recording Engineer) & I
Shifting the pause - I brought together the only images that were saved from a collection of photos my latest friend & master photographer (Natalia Sun) took of me. She passed before she could finish the project in 2023, and I was left with another dilemma. Thankfully my friend Robert was able to bring his graphic designing magic to the table. I am dedicating my album cover for my piece ‘Optimist Lane’ of one of my single releases come March 2024 - April 2024, in memory of her, cheers my friend!
Above: Natalia Suns name where the yellow arrow points
Pulling out of Hard Knocks University within 2023 - the final year of this hiatus away from honing the music industry. I was able to launch my first visual art series ‘Dream BLU’ with multiple exhibitions, land a position in PEPPER Magazine as a columnist, and develop my first private practice as an LMT|Wellness Specialist! Yes- this is one of my other professions, and I realized that I would not be able to let it go. My focus is to become an instructor this year!
Above: Me composing my first short film in my studio
Above: Finalizing my first column for PEPPER Magazine
With more wisdom, passion, focus, and inspiration to hone as I settle back into the music scene; I'm here, ready and stoked to share more work with others.
Catch me at my first performance of the new year in Austin, Texas as I bring in Spring, accompanied by my fellow musician Taiwan Patterson on the Cello!
Thank you for reading & supporting this journey!
Best,
Edward T
Below: Performance Poster For March 10th, 2024
