Tag Archives: singer

Video – Ben Folds Plays Piano Rock Solo Live Concert

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This video shows Ben Folds playing a flashy piano solo improvisation during one of his live concerts.

Benjamin Scott “Ben” Folds is a popular American piano and keyboard player, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the band leader of the alternative rock group Ben Folds Five from 1995-2000. Since then, he has pursued a solo artist career. He has toured worldwide and appeared onstage with William Shatner, Regina Spektor and “Weird Al” Yankovic. He has worked on several film projects including “Over the Hedge” and “Hoodwinked!”

As a child, Ben Folds began playing piano at the age of 9. He took piano lessons for several years. He learned to play by ear and began writing his own songs. Folds attended the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami on a percussion scholarship. During his studies, he spent much time working on piano technique. “I spent maybe six months just running scales with a metronome like a freak,” Folds said. He dropped out with one credit to go before graduating.

Some of Ben Folds recordings:
Ben Folds Five (1995)
Whatever and Ever Amen (1997)
Naked Baby Photos (1998)
Fear of Pop: Volume 1 (1998)
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999)
Rockin’ the Suburbs (2001)
Ben Folds Live (2002)
Songs for Silverman (2005)
Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP (2006)
Way to Normal (2008)
Lonely Avenue (2010)
The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective (2011)
Fifty-Five Vault (2011)

more about Ben Folds

Video – Randy Newman Sings and Plays Piano Louisiana 1927

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Randy Newman sings and plays piano in this live video of a performance in Stuttgart, Germany 2006. “Louisiana 1927” was written and recorded by Newman in 1974 and tells the story of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. The flood devastated Louisiana and left 700,000 people homeless. In this recording, Randy’s keyboard playing and voice combine to make a beautiful and powerful performance.

Randy Newman is an American, singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, and arranger. He has written countless songs and scored the soundtrack to over two dozen films. His style of writing satirical and sarcastic lyrics is unique and has gained him many loyal followers during his long career.

Newman was born in Los Angeles, California in 1943. When he was a youngster, his family moved to New Orleans where he stayed until he was 11. Newman took piano lessons as a child at the age of 6, and again at the age of 16. He became a professional songwriter at the age of 17. His music was greatly influenced by Ray Charles. After Hurricane Katrina, Newman’s recording of “Louisiana 1927” became extremely popular, and was played repeatedly on American radio and television.

Randy Newman has received 20 Academy Awards and has won twice. Newman also garnered 15 Oscar nominations with one win. He has also received 3 Emmys, 5 Grammys and many other acknowledgements from the industry. Randy Newman has made a long and lasting contribution to American music and film.

Some of Randy Newman’s Albums
Randy Newman (1968)
12 Songs (1970)
Randy Newman Live (1971)
Sail Away (1972)
Good Old Boys (1974)
Little Criminals (1977)
Born Again (1979)

Some of Randy Newman’s Film Scores
Performance (1970)
Cold Turkey (1971)
Ragtime (1981)
The Natural (1984)
¡Three Amigos! (1986)
Parenthood (1989)
Major League (1989)
Awakenings (1990)
Avalon (1990)
The Paper (1994)
Maverick (1994)
Toy Story (1995)
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
Michael (1996)
Bean (1997)

more on Randy Newman

norah Jones playing sunrise live in amsterdam

Video – Norah Jones on Piano Playing Sunrise – Live from Amsterdam

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A great video of Norah Jones and her band playing “Sunrise” live from Amsterdam in 2007. Norah plays piano and sings.

Norah Jones is one of the most celebrated and accomplished artists of the day. Famous for her lovely voice and wonderful piano playing, her recordings have made her and overnight sensation. Billboard magazine named her the top Jazz artist for the 2000-2009 decade.

Jones started her professional singing career in 2002, and immediately she was recognized as an extremely talented singer and performer. She started singing in church and taking piano lessons as a child. Norah Jones sang in the High School choir and joined a band. At the University of North Texas, she studied jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers group. She then returned to New York City and started a band with Jesse Harris, whom she had begun collaborating with. Her music has been greatly influenced by Billie Holiday and Bill Evans. Norah Jones also writes songs, plays guitar, and has acted in several movies.

Some of most popular songs are:
The Nearness of You
Don’t Know Why
Don’t Miss You at All
I Think It’s Going to Rain Today
Sinkin’ Soon
Cry Me a River

more about Norah Jones

billy joel video playing piano singing just the way you are 1977

Billy Joel Video Playing Piano, Singing – Just The Way You Are 1977

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billy joel video playing piano singing just the way you are 1977

“Just the way you are”, is a classic song by Bill Joel, one of the greatest singer, songwriters ever. His music is articulate, inspiring, and original. His piano playing and his voice go so well together.

Billy Joel was born William Martin on May 9, 1949 in The Bronx, New York and lived in Hicksville, New York.

His father, an accomplished pianist, was classically trained. Joel is a prodigious musician, pianist, singer songwriter, and classical composer. His first hit song, “Piano Man”, in 1973, launched his extraordinary career. Billy Joel, according to the RIAA, is the 6th best selling recording artist and the 3rd best selling solo musician in the U.S.

As a child, Joel began piano lessons early. His outstanding work as a songwriter and composed has earned him numerous awards and a worldwide following. His music is some of the finest composed for piano and voice. His agility at the keyboard while singing is a hallmark of his performance. Billy Joel has continued recording music and frequently goes on tour, especially with Elton John.