Hello All,
As promised, here is the video of my Dad playing one of his original compositions – “Dukie’s Rag”. He wrote it a few years back for my Mom. Just as a bit of background, my Dad was a concert pianist, classically trained. He is, to this day, an amazing pianist and composer. He plays virtually anything – from Rachmaninoff and Chopin to Gershwin and jazz to his own music compositions (which is wide ranging, from the piece I am sharing here to classical pieces and most everything in between). Music and art have played a huge role in my life. I have been so fortunate to have been exposed – on a daily basis – to art and music all during my childhood. My Mom, a painter and my Dad a musician, I really had a wonderfully unique childhood – at least I think so.
Music has saved me a number of times and it is certainly saving me now. It is in me and it is often how I am able to rise above a painful time. It’s hard to explain, but I guess music, for me, has real healing powers – simply in the way it can lift me up. And, there is nothing better than live music. And, of course, my favorite musician of all time is my Dad.
This video was taken just yesterday, at my brother Steve’s down in San Diego where we celebrated his birthday. Sorry for the background noise, it was after all, a party. Also, the poor videotaping was done by me – I had a pretty good sized labrador retriever at my feet constantly trying to get me to throw a ball for him, so that led to some of the choppy or bouncing tape here. But, the music is great!
Enjoy!
cancerfree2b 
Wonderful! Your dad has an amazing talent. I still recall how much I enjoyed his variation of “Rhapsody in Blue.” 🙂
Thanks Sandy,
Yes, Rhapsody in Blue is one of our favorites. The piano arrangement that you’ve heard him play – he wrote that arrangement (incorporating all of the orchestra parts) when he was 15 or 16. Prior to that, it was only done with an orchestra, there had been no piano alone version. He loved the piece so much that he wanted to be able to play all of it – not just the piano solo parts, but the orchestral parts as well. So that’s what my Dad was doing in high school. Pretty amazing huh? It’s hard for me to even fathom.
Encore! Simply amazing!
Yes, music can save ones soul. Can’t wait to see you two performing live one day soon!
David : )
Awe, thank you David. I hope it is soon. My parents are coming over this evening to stay the night with me and then drive me up to my appointment with my oncologist at UCLA tomorrow. I don’t know what I would do without them. I just can’t even imagine.
Anyway, I might play the bass for a few minutes with my Dad tonight. I should. But, I am really sore from PT yesterday and also from sitting and waiting for a car repair today – it took from 10:30 to 4:30 – what a day. I am beat. If I had known it was going to take so long, I definitely would have had someone pick me up and take me home and then go back and pick up the car later. But, they told me they thought it would be about 3 hours. So, I thought I would just sit and read . . . well, it took a tad longer than anticipated. But, at least the repair is done. And, hopefully, with a good night’s sleep behind me tonight, I will feel better tomorrow.
And, yes, isn’t my Dad amazing? This piece is one of many original compositions he has written over the years. He is an amazing arranger and composer.
I will have to post more. 🙂
L.