George's profile

I’m a largely self-taught composer, jazz pianist, performer, and visual artist, but I’ve studied with three wonderful masters: Jessica Williams (jazz piano and composition), Marc Copeland (jazz piano), and John Stephens (modern classical composition), who taught me how to learn, explore, and to continually add to my artist’s palette of knowledge. In the process I’ve written over 600 compositions, ranging from jazz and orchestral, to electro-acoustic and experimental.

Though I’d been drawing and painting, and into photography for about as long as I’d been into music, they were basically in separate worlds.

The first crossover began in the mid 1990s, when I began to use my visual art as covers for my self-produced CD projects.

The next was around 2010, when I used the opportunity created by the advent of sites like You Tube and Vimeo to create videos that combined my compositions with visual imagery, including some of my photographic work: the combination of which gives viewers/listeners an increased understanding of what the piece wishes to convey.

As for my history: The original impetus to compose and create came from being “Touched With Fire” – driven by the need to escape the agony resulting from a profound mental breakdown. This obsession included painting and drawing too, but over time music creation came to dominate.

As my knowledge from studying and analyzing jazz harmony and form grew, I reached a point where ideas were coming into my head whenever I sat at the piano. There soon evolved tunes that though listenable, because of their unique harmonic content and/or expanded forms, were distinctly different in sound and approach.

This increased even more so when I began to study contemporary classical music. Though modern, my chamber and orchestral works have a basis in extended jazz harmonies and melodic motifs.

You will see and hear this in my Baker Portfolio.

Below is what people have said about my work.

To see a complete list of compositions, please go to my website at www.georgefspicka.com, and click on “List of Compositions” in the lower left.

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Unsolicited Comments

"It is pianist and composer in unison. A combination of Liszt and Monk at work. What Mr. Spicka gives us in A Glassful of Doubt, is a self-contained, bold declaration of belief in the creative spirit." - Mark Yacovone, Program Director, WDUQ-FM - Pittsburgh

"Thank you very much for sending along Keyboard Mania. I think it is terrific. I've always personally liked improvisations of the sort you are doing ... I plan to give your CD to a friend ... He runs The Jazz Gallery, where jazz related art work is presented and wonderful concerts take place" - H.O. - Chiaroscuro Records, Broadway, NY

"I must say that you have put a lot of work into this demo. I'm really not used to see this kind of demo (and I get quite a few!). Very professional! I appreciate your technique, touch and your way of building your solos" -J.S. - Ayler Records, Sweden

“George, I want to both Congratulate you and thank you for your Composition Neogene Melody. I really enjoyed it. My sister, Betty, who was in my party also commented "you imagine you're under water seeing the huge sharks swimming near". And, the whole concert was spectacular too!” - Bill Rinker, Baltimore, MD

"As we enthused on the evening of your concert, both Bill and I enjoyed the evening tremendously. The music was fascinating and all your research into the history of Russia made it resonate in all kinds of ways." - Joan Davidson, Executive Director, Vivat St. Petersburg

"It was a delightful journey as I followed your thoughts up, down, and around a wonderful spectrum." – Barry Glassman – Founder, Baltimore Jazz Alliance

" … the overall impression is…impressive. You should be proud!" – Gail Marten - Editor, Baltimore Jazz Alliance Newsletter

"I am so impressed by your piano playing and interpretation. You are really awesome !!!" - Brian B. Smith, Cold Spring Jazz Quartet

" …it captures the spirit of the performance and pays homage to the Baltimore Jazz Real Book." - Barry Glassman - Founder, Baltimore Jazz Alliance

"This is a very nice and well played. I cant really find a comparison to any other jazz pianist that I know. It reminds me of a kind of painting - dark colors flowing down into light colors coming up. You seem to be doing something similar by laying out small patterns of notes that contrast a bit with the patterns before and after, while still maintaining a harmonious flow". – Steve Estes, audiophile collector and jazz enthusiast

" … the project was a big success last time, largely due to your efforts … and your reputation as a prolific and highly regarded composer …" – Mark Osteen - Chairman, Baltimore Jazz Alliance

"… And I am agog at your improvisational skills on Keyboard Mania. I can only imagine all the hours & sweaty practice that you've logged to be able to shift gears in tempo & mood so effortlessly." – Craig Hankins, Hopkins University

"I've been listening to Famous Lost Words and enjoying it very much. I'm looking forward to the other discs." – John Lewis – Arts and Culture Editor, Baltimore Magazine

"What a diverse body of work. You are awesome!" – Wayne Alvarez, Director, 210 Jazz Orchestra – Austin TX

"I've been listening to your CD -- I absolutely love it! Damn good work!" – Ed Fatheringill - Director, Jazz Caravan

"Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy listening to your solo piano CD. It is really very interesting musically. It has a wide appeal. I turn it on for background music while I am reading but I can't concentrate. Something always grabs my attention and I turn the sound up and put my work down and just listen" - Blaise Keller – drums and percussion. - San Francisco

"There are things in it to admire. Much passion, drama. It's kind of like clouds. At the moment it seems to be shaping up to something, it changes to something else." – Gavin Brown - Baltimore Composers Forum

"George, I enjoyed listening to and seeing your ensemble in action. You have terrific ideas and style in your solos.- Robert C. Roberts, Arizona

"Thanks so much for your CD's. they are awesome … A Glassful of Doubt' is simply brilliant and a masterpiece." – Mike Zampi - Zampi Productions, Baltimore MD

"This is just sublime. Thank you for something exceptionally beautiful". – Mark Chello - singer, songwriter

"I enjoy listening to how your music unfolds. It's not predictable. :))" - Roger Aldridge – composer

"Congratulations! - Your St. Petersburg Suite was sensational - There were so many elements to it - So well conceived - performed and enjoyed. The whole evening's event was memorable and inspired. Thank you for an extraordinary musical experience." – Harriet Lynn, Director, Heritage Artists Theatre

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