Gentle Passion
[1809802982]

Darren Curtis Skanson (1967 to present) American composer. Encouraged in music from a young age, Skanson began singing, playing instruments, and composing as early as he can remember. At 13 he took his first classical guitar lesson and began a partnership with the classical guitar that has produced a wide variety of music. After an outstanding collegiate career studying classical guitar, composition, and recording science, Darren spent the early part of the 1990's touring and composing for both the progressive band Mata Hari and violinist Malcolm Watson. Embarking on his solo career in 1995, his composition output exploded with works for classical guitar, acoustic fingerstyle guitar, 12 string guitar, cello, and violin. Skanson is known mostly for his classical guitar compositions and arrangements of Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, and other classical composers. Skanson continues to record, compose and perform out of his Denver, Colorado base. His discography currently includes 10 compact discs of classical guitar arrangements and original work with over 200 pieces to his credit. As well as playing solo, he performs with his trio of classical guitar, violin, and cello aptly named The Skanson String Trio.

He is the Midwest's newest musical treasure. The piano is his true love. His music is the result. Together, we find "Treasures of the Soul" and "Hunter of Dreams", a collection of Aldo's original compositions of endless flowing piano music with orchestral undertones, coming straight from his soul.

Music has always been a focus in Aldo's life. Many of his treasured memories are reflected in the soulful passions of his music. Remembering dear friends and fun experiences has given Aldo the material to create many musical treasures. Aldo's greatest wish is that he has charted a journey of discovery that will help you find and hold onto your cherished memories.

Growing up on a farm outside of Moorhead, Minnesota, Aldo sat next to his mother, feet dangling off the piano bench, while listening to her unlock the secrets within the black and white keys. This was the beginning of his tender devotion to the piano. At fifteen, Aldo took his talent to the church and accompanied the choir for over six years, naturally leading him to a degree in music.

Since, Aldo has scored countless television shows and documentaries. He is most proud of his Emmy award winning documentary "Delafield." Other notable projects include the nationally syndicated PBS series "Painting with Paulson" and the theme to the popular Prairie Public Television kids' series, "Kid's Zone." His work is not exclusive to the small silver screen, however. Aldo's music has been heard countless times on "As the World Turns", the "Today Show", and the "Rosie O'Donnell Show."

Over the past ten years, Aldo has released five albums, which include: Treasures of the Soul, an adventurous and passionate blend of piano and strings, Hunter of Dreams, it takes you on an emotional exploration of life's escapade both past and future, his first holiday release, Unwrapped, piano music that may cause merriment, feelings of irreverence and extreme glee, and his most recent holiday release, Merriment, a collection of traditional holiday tunes done in a Jazz/Rock feel with upright bass and drums. Aldo's release Expressions, found exclusively through Cardtunes, is an energetic and avid balance of the ivories and the ensemble.

Bay Area harpist and composer Paul Michael Meredith is a truly original artist and musical storyteller. His passionate works evolved out of a growing love affair with the harp as a compositional instrument.

Combining two of the oldest instruments, harp and flute, as well as other instrumentation, Paul weaves melodies that are timeless and heart stirring. His music embodies a depth of feeling and inspiration that's immediately embraced by the ears and heart of the listener. Perhaps one appreciator said it best with, "this music is so passionate, it deserves a warning label." Born in England in 1952, Paul came to California with his family when he was seven. His love of music was obvious in 3rd grade as he played "America the Beautiful" on the harmonica every morning as part of the class pledge of allegiance.

After many years and much experimentation, Paul discovered the most inspiring and sensitive instrument of all, the harp. This began the unique and peaceful style you hear in Paul's recordings. In 1994, Paul created Cypress Hollow Music, a name he derived from the beauty and peacefulness of the Mendocino and Monterey coasts of California.

Peace & Love & Jigs & Reels brings you the richness of Celtic music on Irish flute, alto flute, guitar, percussion and vocals. Gregg Hansen and Cynthia Jaffé draw in audiences with their jubilant energy, tight musical arrangements, soulful expressiveness, stories, humor and varied world music influences. At festivals, weddings, or by the hearth at an intimate house concert, Peace & Love & Jigs & Reels brings the music and spirit of the Celts right into the listener’s heart.

Music For Candles is an organization and musical concept started by Nationally Known Recording Artist James Feagans and Kimmara Rosehart. Music for Candles is soft soothing or light uplifting instrumental music combining contemporary and traditional musical forms.

Robert Sequoia's style blends a combination of musical influences including classical, romantic, baroque, and Spanish guitar. Sequoia's exquisite compositions transport the listener onto a mystical journey with his gift for melodic composition, and elegant, soulful arrangements. His up-tempo pieces are inspired by various world-beat sounds and his Russian-Romanian gypsy heritage.

Robert Sequoia began his creative journey as a very young visual artist. After hearing the great Spanish classical guitarist Carlos Montoya in concert, he was inspired to express his vision through music. Sequoia's compositions convey an emotional honesty and sensitivity rarely found in contemporary music. His unique style varies from heart-moving ballads with beautiful, time-enduring melodies, to upbeat, world-influenced compositions. Audiences are consistently inspired and mesmerized by Robert Sequoia's dynamic performances, the quality of his music, and the harp-like, fluid touch of his guitar playing. The son of second-generation immigrants, Robert's musical roots go back to his family lineage of Romanian gypsy musicians

This group features Lisa Lynne Franco and George Tortorelli. They wanted to make something light and fun and were fascinated with Elves and the folklore of magical forests. They picked out some traditional tunes, and penned some of their own along those lines and pretended they were elves and fairies playing all kinds of instruments. If you're a fan of Tolkien, this could be the his band.

Darren Curtis Skanson (1967 to present) American composer. Encouraged in music from a young age, Skanson began singing, playing instruments, and composing as early as he can remember. At 13 he took his first classical guitar lesson and began a partnership with the classical guitar that has produced a wide variety of music. After an outstanding collegiate career studying classical guitar, composition, and recording science, Darren spent the early part of the 1990's touring and composing for both the progressive band Mata Hari and violinist Malcolm Watson. Embarking on his solo career in 1995, his composition output exploded with works for classical guitar, acoustic fingerstyle guitar, 12 string guitar, cello, and violin. Skanson is known mostly for his classical guitar compositions and arrangements of Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, and other classical composers. Skanson continues to record, compose and perform out of his Denver, Colorado base. His discography currently includes 10 compact discs of classical guitar arrangements and original work with over 200 pieces to his credit. As well as playing solo, he performs with his trio of classical guitar, violin, and cello aptly named The Skanson String Trio.

George Maurer has performed nationwide as a solo performer- from the Ordway Theater in St. Paul, MN, to performances in Washington, D.C. for members of Congress, the United Nations, and the White House. He’s compiled a discography of 15 innovative solo piano and jazz albums, and his gentle humor and storytelling abilities, woven with original music, have garnered him several nominations for “Jazz Entertainer of the Year” nationwide on college campuses.

Maurer joined the Twin Cities’ Wesley Balk Summer Institute in 2002 as an Associate Music Director and participant, and has spent numerous summers and falls music directing and arranging for community theaters in Central Minnesota, as well as music directing and scoring for several Rough Cuts (Nautilus) showcases. In the Twin Cities, he has scored original music for Ms. Julie (10,000 Things), So This Duck Walks Into A Psychiatrist’s Office (Rough Cuts, Nautilus) and has scored and produced or performed for audio-books by noted Minnesota authors, including Jon Hassler (Staggerford, Rookery Blues) and Doug Wood (Old Turtle).

Recently, Maurer has performed with Eric Clapton at the House of Blues, Los Angeles; with Dick Clark, Bobby Vee, the Chiffons, the Crystals, Fabian, and Buddy Holly’s original band The Crickets, and with numerous other rock and jazz performers. Armed with an uncanny ability to interpret, arrange for, and produce and perform numerous musical styles; from traditional jazz to bebop, classic to modern rock, to country and beyond, Maurer is called upon often to be a hired gun for numerous recording and theatrical ventures.

When George isn’t performing solo, he arranges for and music directs the George Maurer Jazz Group, a “rambunctious” (The City Pages/Minneapolis), irreverent gathering of nine jazz musicians, “one of Central Minnesota’s sparkling contributions to the arts.” (Dale Connelly/Jim Ed Poole/ MPR’s The Morning Program).

Mike and Linda Coates are an accomplished musical team. As performers, recording artists, teachers and composers they combine their classical training together with decades of experience as professional musicians in the popular music world. In 1995 Mike and Linda built a recording studio and launched their own record label, Raptor Studios and Barking Dog Records, to bring their unique blend of classical and pop music to 90s audiences hungry for a new music and aesthetic, and to assist talented local artists of every genre to realize their musical dreams and launch their careers.

Guitarist Mike Coates spent more than a decade as a touring and recording artist with the successful midwestern art-rock bands WHITEWING and ASIA. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Performance, and taught for ten years at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota as Assistant Professor of Guitar and Audio Production. During that time he initiated an annual student sampler recording project, Dragon Tracks, and staged many spectacular rock stage shows in addition to performing as a featured classical guitar soloist in recitals and orchestra performances.

Vocalist Linda Coates was most recently the Executive Director of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony and, previously, Executive Director of Lake Agassiz Arts Council in Fargo, North Dakota. She came to the arts administration field from the world of teaching, including four years as a voice teacher in the Music Department of Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned two Bachelor's Degrees and a Master's Degree in Vocal Music, and has also worked for twenty years as a freelance graphic designer.

Kevin is the founder and principal recording artist of PianoOne, an international record label and publisher. He has recorded three CDs of original contemporary piano solos: Collage, Inner Voices, and Awakenings. Kevin has composed, produced and performed original compositions for special events and multimedia projects with clients such as Miss Teen U.S.A.® , PBS, The Business & Technology Network, U.S.A. Olympic Training Center, Denver Botanic Gardens, Broadmoor Resort & Spa™, Habitat for Humanity International, Colorado Boys Ranch, Cordillera Lodge & Spa and the Center for Creative Leadership.

With well over 100,000 albums sold, and several 100 students to his credit he has become one of the most influential touch soloists today. His recordings have been described as "the sound of the Stick in its purest form." His 2 latest projects break new historical ground in the musical world. Acoustick Dawn the first ever recording using an acoustic instrument desigend puerly for the tapping method of playing and Un Viaje Clasico the first DVD with the Chapman Stick. His shows have taken him to over 15 countries throught the world.

Bob Laughlin in the owner and proprietor of Acoustic Music Revival, a professional acoustic guitar shop at 3445 S. Broadway in Englewood, Colorado.

Mitch Gallagher is a successful guitarist, engineer, instructor, writer, and Grammy-winning composer. He has written four books and published nearly 1,000 product reviews and articles on music technology and recording in magazines such as Performing Songwriter, EQ, Keyboard, Pro Sound News, Guitar Player, Government Video, Extreme Groove, Music Technology Buyer's Guide, Videography, and Microphones & Monitors. He previously served as editor-in-chief of EQ Magazine and senior technical editor of Keyboard Magazine and is currently the Editorial Director at Sweetwater!

Tommy Johns has been performing and mixing live sound in groups and as a solo artist for over 20 years. He started with private lessons at age 8 and continued with his music education until finishing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Wisconsin. The first Groups he performed in were in the mid-west where he was bassist and lead vocalist in several cover/top40 bands. Tommy was house engineer for the Chicago based group "Haymarket Riot" and the widely popular "Funkhouse". He later moved to Denver where he was one of many artists selected to perform on a series of CD's called Acoustitherapy which are currently available from Colorado Creative Music. (www.Acoustitherapy.com) Currently residing in Seattle, Tommy released his first full length CD of original pop/rock music, "This is Supposed to be Fun!?" on his own label in 2003. The second CD from Tommy, "Heading into Tomorrow" was released in 2005.

A native of Denver, Colorado, Dave Villano has been an accomplished musician, playing professionally since 1990. He plays a variety of instruments proficiently, focusing on guitar, violin and the Irish Whistle. In 2000 he returned from a year-and-a-half-long, nation-wide tour with Christian recording artists Shaded Red, where they shared the stage with such bands as DC Talk, Newsboys, Switchfoot and Delirious. Dave has also recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Since his return, Dave has continued to record his music, which includes four instrumental CD’s. He also co-wrote the song “Bonded”, on Michael Tait’s (of DC Talk) CD, Empty. Lately, Dave has become a member of Dave Beegle’s acoustic band along with sharing his instrumental music at a variety of churches in Colorado. Dave’s purpose is to glorify God and reach people from all walks of life through his music.