Performed for the Composers Society of Montgomery County. A diatom is tiny bit of alga living within a silica castle. In a way, Star Trek's Mr. Spock's quip, "It's not life as we know it" would seem to apply. One algae species, Bangiomorpha pubescens, dates back to 1.25 billion years ago, and hints at when photosynthesis began. Had that not occurred, we'd be breathing an atmosphere of ammonia and methane, rather then one of oxygen, if we were even here at all. The irony of it all, when you get down to it, is that we owe our existence to plant poop ;)

Live recording for the monthly Peabody Jazz Composers Forum. 10-23-2019 / Andie Musik, Baltimore Maryland.

A live, solo-piano performance. I usually play this with a piano trio or larger ensemble, so covering the left-hand bass part is a challenge. Peabody Jazz Composers Forum, November 2019 / An die Musik

A second recording with video/audio from a Zoom Q3 recorder only. Created September 15, 2011.

"Gamesters" (1980) Composed as an up-temp Latin piece, in this rendition I play it more as a ballad. The title is inspired by the original Star Trek episode, "Gamesters of Tryskelion." This was broadcast on January 5, 1968, my 21st birthday :)

Originally written in 1980, this version is a rather free-flowing jazz ballad in 4/4. The title is for a road that separates Washington DC from Prince George's County, MD. Recorded February 2011

Created September 11, 2011. In this usage, "reservations" means doubt. Two back-to-back stream-of-consciousness improvisations.

(2015) For French horn and Marimba. The challenge was to create a situation that would combine two seeming disparate instruments: one known for its subdued tones, the other for its percussive qualities, into one seemingly coherent work. Representations of life or conditions in other parts of the universe were considered, along with conversations between sub-atomic particles like the quark, or maybe even idle chit-chat between a trilobite and an asteroid (starfish). Then I thought, why not a cat? Not just any cat, but Beethoven’s cat! I’ve found no reference to there ever being one, but imagine if there were. Lying and sleeping there by the master, it would experience both the genius and the frustration first hand. And who knows, in the dark night, maybe, just maybe, Beethoven’s cat would hop to the bench, then piano, and try to replicate what it’s keen ears had absorbed earlier in the day. Beethoven’s Cat represents the thoughts and actions of this most remarkable creature.

"Two More Worlds" is an electro-acoustic piece for improvised piano and pre-recorded music/sounds. The second of two compositions submitted for a Baltimore Composers Forum concert at Theatre Project, November 18, 2011.

From the 2000 CD, "Keyboard Mania" (Seven Movements of Hysteria). Solo piano with video background. Video from GiveMeFreeArt.com. Empty Room image by jjsunshyne @ Photobucket.com. Video created 2010.