James Adler & Friends
James Adler composer and pianist
Leo Ornstein composer
Paul Turok composer
Seth Bedford composer
Franz Liszt composer
Jordan P. Smith tenor saxophone
Malcolm J. Merriweather baritone
JAMES ADLER & FRIENDS, an album of works by and commissioned for pianist, composer, and Yamaha Artist James Adler, features works by Leo Ornstein, Paul Turok, Seth Bedford, Franz Liszt, Stephen Sondheim, and Adler himself, showcasing his penchant for both contemporary and traditional concert repertoire. These pieces offer a career-spanning glimpse into Adler’s career, from his first publicly performed piece, to works sprouted from personal collaborations, to his own original compositions and arrangements. Adler’s performances on JAMES ADLER & FRIENDS are joined by saxophonist Jordan P. Smith and baritone Malcolm J. Merriweather.
Listen
Artist Information
James Adler
A pianist who “can create whatever type of music he wants at the keyboard” (Chicago Sun-Times) and a composer who writes “with uncommon imagination” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), James Adler’s extensive list of compositions is headed by Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem. A 75-minute for work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, Memento mori has been performed worldwide since its 1996 premiere, and recorded by AmorArtis Chorale and Orchestra under the direction of Johannes Somary on Albany Records. Other works by Adler include the often-performed Carols of Splendour, which premiered at Carnegie Hall; It’s Gotta Be America, commissioned for the Centennial Celebration of the Statue of Liberty; and Canticle For Peace, written for the opening of the 43rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.