DAWN CONTEMPLATION by Lisa Swerdlow

One morning last winter, composer and pianist Lisa Swerdlow woke before dawn. Without knowing why, experienced a sense of foreboding and found herself reflecting on her life and contemplating all that she hoped yet to accomplish. She climbed out of bed and headed to the barn to feed her horses, as was her habit, just […]

PIANO2 by Doug Hammer

“Piano2” (actually “Piano Squared”) is Doug Hammer’s thirteenth release and arguably his most unique to date, as every performance on the album is a duet performed by Doug Hammer and…himself! Inspired by the free-wheeling improvisations that have become a tradition at the end of his solo piano concerts with other artists, Doug decided to try […]

Album Review: CELTIQUE by Doug Hammer

Celtique, Doug Hammer’s twelfth release, tells the story of a fisherman: a day in his life from daybreak to twilight. Inspired by his love of Celtic music as well as places and cultures he has experienced, Doug Hammer has created a masterpiece. Celtique begins and ends with the title track “like an unbroken, sacred circle.” […]