Tonight I attended the Photo Philanthropy Awards Ceremony at One Fort Mason here in San Francisco. Hundreds of photographers from all over the world submitted their work. With their mission statement, "We champion social change, one photo at a time," along with a large global reach and network of artists, it's easy to see how this evening was a consciousness-changing event. I was invited by my friend John Parsons to work with him and eight other outstanding musicians on setting the winner of the Professional category's submission to music, and playing our original music at the ceremony as the work was being presented.
The grand prize winner's essay is a documentary of the Kenian famine. Zoriah Miller is a freelance photographer who, out of his own pocket, travels the world and captures the suffering (both natural and man-made) of the people in places where war, famine, drought and other disasters have made life miserable. His goal is to help ease the hardship by bringing these conditions to light through his photography. It was a deep honor to view his work and meet him tonight. I encourage you to visit his blog, check out what he's doing, and show your support if you can so that Zoriah can continue his amazing work. www.Zoriah.net
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Four more songs available as sheet music!
I'm very happy to announce the addition of Chorale, The Road Less Travelled, Vermont Serenade, and Meant To Be to the list of piano solos I have available as sheet music. To celebrate, I'm offering a complimentary download (your choice) for every two that you buy. More titles coming soon, so check out my sheet music page while your here!
 
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This is the last week for Mel Brooks' The Producers at Solano College! I am having a great time playing the piano / keyboard in the 'pit' for this production and working with some of my friends in the Actor Training Program. The performances are first rate, and I hope to see all of you who live in the area (San Francisco - North Bay) at one of the final shows. Tickets are only $20 (all seats.) Don't miss it, the last few shows are likely to be sold out!
The remaining shows are:
Thursday, October 15 (7:30pm)
Friday, October 16 (7:30pm)
Saturday, October 17 (7:30pm) sold out
Sunday, October 18 (2:00pm) matinee sold out
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Meet my new friend, Lucy.
Lucy was a stray until yesterday, when she finally decided to live with us. We noticed her wandering the neighborhood several weeks ago, and it quickly became apparent to us that she was homeless. When we tried to approach her, she would run away, and we could tell that living on the streets was going to be her undoing - her ribs were visible and it was obvious she was hungry. So, I decided to feed her until Ron and I could decide what to do. We placed a bowl of food in front of the house, and, at first, she wouldn't eat until we went away - she was so scared. But, over the next two weeks, Ronny and I decided that if this little puppy ever warmed up to us, we would keep her.
Well, patience was rewarded yesterday morning. After this little stray finished eating, she looked at me. It was clear that she wanted to be friends, but couldn't get past her fear. I sat on the ground and held my hands open where she could see them. That was when she approached and gave me a quick "lick" before retreating a little. A couple of minutes later, she was cuddled next to me and I was rubbing her tummy. There has been no going back since! This little puppy is so very sweet, loving and affectionate; and starving for companionship - as well as food.
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Ron took this picture about ten minutes after she came to me. We have named her 'Lucy.' Our next step is to get her socialized with the big boys in the house, and so far everything is going smoothly. Wish me luck!
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Hi everyone! It's been a while since I updated what's going on, but now that school is over and my students are taking the summer off I've had a chance to regroup. I hope to compose some over the next few months and who knows, maybe have a new song or two ready for the studio this fall.
But the big announcement is that I've just acquired a brand new Yamaha CP33 Stage Piano which will allow me to play venues and events that have no piano or keyboard available, and up to now were inaccessible to me. So now, with this amazing portable piano, I can play anywhere, anytime I want or need to. I play all kinds of music, (not limited to my own original compositions.) If you or someone you know happens to be looking for live piano music for their party, wedding, or any type of event, please get in touch with me! My rates are more reasonable than you might expect, and in most cases can be negotiated. So what have you got to lose? Now I have piano, will travel!
Besides, I love to play.........
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Today I received word that selections from Recollections will be added to the programming of the most-listened-to internet radio station for solo piano music in the world: Whisperings - Solo Piano Radio. I am thrilled and delighted to have been given the chance to share this music with a broad global audience. Whisperings has been the #1 broadcast on Live365.com for four years running. Please add Whisperings to your bookmarked pages and enjoy all of the quality programming you find there. My deepest gratitude to David Nevue, founder, program director and fellow Whisperings artist.
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My store on iTunes is now online. Check it out!
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The Recollections page on CDBaby.com is up and running. CDBaby is a god-send to independent musicians for all the help they provide with encoding and submitting our songs to the digital retailers such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, and Aol Radio. So, as soon as my mp3's are available on these sites I will announce it here.
Also, I want to tell everybody that CDBaby offers a 20% discount for multiple orders of Recollections. Some of you have written to tell me you plan to order a couple of extra copies to give as gifts, and while I love for you to buy directly from me, you should know that this discount exists. You have to place two or more copies on the same order to qualify for the special discount - and it is only offered through CDBaby. They also feature a section for posting reviews of the music you buy, as well as a wish list.
Finally - I want to thank everyone for your meaningful and awesome support! Your messages of appreciation always brighten my day. Wishing you all the best - see you again soon.
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20% off 2 or more at CDBaby!
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My first solo piano album, Recollections, has been out for almost a week now and I am blown away by the responses and feedback I've received! My website has received hits from thirty states and six foreign countries, and much of this is owed to my family, friends and fans promoting and spreading the word. Thank you to everyone who has bought a CD (in some cases two or three!) and even more to you who have told friends.
If you are on Facebook and haven't already joined my fan page, I invite you to do so. Not only is facebook a wonderful way to network and keep in touch, but I'm introducing my music to a wider audience than otherwise would have been possible. If you haven't signed onto Facebook and created a profile for yourself, you really don't know what you're missing! Please go here and join right now!
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I am happy to announce to you all that Recollections, my debut album of 12 original songs for solo piano has been released. As many of you already know, making this record has been a life long dream. Some of the material for these pieces goes back a decade - I would occaisionally dust them off and make revisions - and hope that one day I would get off my butt and finish.
So starting last summer I capped off the songs I had started but never finished, and began earnestly writing the music that would fill in the holes. Soon I came to realize that these pieces represented 'sketches' of various moments and people in my life, and Recollections went from vague, hopeful dream to reality.
Because this collection of songs represents 10+ years of writing, the music is stylistically diverse. I have undergone an evolution since I was younger, and you will perhaps hear this on the record. Ron's Song is reminiscent of Burt Bacharach, while The Road Less Travelled shows more of the Sondheim influence I have cultivated most recently. Either way, I just hope you will put this on your CD player and enjoy it.
Currently my website is the only source for buying a copy of Recollections. It will soon be available online at CDBaby, iTunes, and amazon.com. (And of course I will always carry a few around with me when I come for a visit!) I would love you to stop by, listen to the free clips, and order a copy for yourself.
There will be an official roll-out party soon. I will let all of you know the location and date once it has been finalized.
Thanks so much for supporting and listening to my music. It is truly awesome to hear from so many of you!
By the way, you can buy the album here!
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I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! Thanks to all of you for your support and kindness over the last year.
I had hoped the album would be in your stockings this Christmas, but as you all know I took a little extra time in the studio to make a better record. My sincere thanks to those of you who have ordered ahead of the release, I will be using the proceeds to promote the album. My homepage has January 15, 2009 as the official release date, and we anticipate no further delays. I will be back around the first of the year for a final update.
I hope Santa is really good to you all!
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Hey everyone! I've finished recording the album and will be working on the production side over the next couple of weeks. I decided to record in a different studio about halfway through the project but I think the final result will be worth it. Fantasy Studios in Berkeley California is an awesome place to play - not only for the beautiful Yamaha C9 concert grand piano, but my music is in the capable hands of producer Adam Munoz, who has worked with George Winston among other artists. By the way, Fantasy Studios is where Vince Guaraldi recorded his masterpiece "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
I expect to have this, my first Burdette Solo Piano album ready to release sometime around the middle of November. Be sure to sign up for email updates (if you haven't already) and you will be the first to know when the record is in stock and ready to ship.
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My first CD of all original piano instrumental music is on track for release October 31. I can't believe it's actually happening! For all my family and friends who have encouraged me to perservere...this is for you.
I took the summer off from practically everything to finish writing the songs you'll find on the album, including six brand new ones. I'm posting audio clips in advance of the record's release.
In this collection of 'Burdette original piano solos' you may hear some of the musical styles that have influenced and left their impression on me over the past ten years - my superhero Stephen Sondheim (I can only wish), George Winston, Jim Brickman - and being a child of the 1970's - Burt Bacharach.
For visitors and fans of my music, thanks for checking us out! Please join my email list so I can let you know when the album is ready. I never share or sell my list and you can remove your name any time.
There will be more to share soon, so check back frequently.
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