“Piano Styles” (7:45) Beginning with the blues, this song embodies the musical character of piano styles such as ragtime, stride, swing, boogie-woogie, and bebop. My goal was to show their similarities as well as their distinct qualities as styles specific to the piano. “Always On” (5:02) While lounging in the backyard one day I couldn’t help but notice a trail of ants scurrying with such determination. Moving with such speed and precision while touching the antennas of their comrades I thought - - ants seem to be “Always On.” "Waterfall" (8:50) Watching a few drops of rain disrupt the “flo” of ants seemed similar to the massive flow and power, yet calmness, that a waterfall has on people. To capture the character of a waterfall I needed to utilize the entire keyboard, playing in an ascending and descending manner. At the same time a feeling of tranquility ensued. I was tickled when a person told me they were using this song as their ring tone. "To Be Loved" (6:40) To love someone is great; but perhaps to be loved makes it all worthwhile. "Latin Blues" (4:17) No matter what rhythm you apply to the blues style, it is still the blues. Using a Latin rhythm certainly makes the song more playful - - no pun intended. “Sounds of War” (5:16) The piece was written a few months following the bombing of the New York Trade Center on September 11, 2001. It was not performed however until 2003 when I debuted the CD in a live performance in Irvine, California. Following the performance a gentleman stated, “The song sounded too pleasant to be a war song.” In reply I said, “It was meant to have a bitter-sweet soundscape, as war is indeed bitter, but music is often sweet.” My emotions, like many around the world, ran ramped - - anger/peace; ambiguity/clarity; fearful/protected; sorrow/joy; and bitter/sweet. “Autumn Trees” (4:18) I was visiting Connecticut in autumn sometime ago and was in awe of the beauty bestowed by the many leaf colors of street-lined tress. I didn’t get a chance to work on the song while there, but I did as soon as I returned home. “Takin’ It Easy” (4:04) Played in the stride piano style, as it’s filled with syncopated rhythms, the emotion is nonetheless relaxed or “Takin’ It Easy.”