BIO In creating Windham Hill Records in 1975, Will Ackerman, defined a genre of music or at the very least identified and nurtured a grassroots musical movement. Disco ruled the airwaves in the mid-1970s, and Ackerman and the musicians he signed and produced offered a radical and even brave alternative to the trends of the time. Where popular music was dominated by electronic drumming, dance beats and rhythm, Windham Hill offered an oasis of acoustic sounds with an emphasis on melody. The company and its music was wildly successful from the start, but the massive popularity, which brought worldwide attention began with the release of George Winston’s “Autumn” in 1980. Will Ackerman was producer on recordings by George Winston, Michael Hedges, Liz Story and Shadowfax among others. As a guitarist, Will Ackerman has now released thirteen CDs. Four have been nominated for a Grammy and his 2004 CD “Returning” won a Grammy in the New Age category. SONG ORDER: 1. THE BRICKLAYER’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER (1975 ) I think of this as my best piece. I have no idea where these songs come from and my “composition” of this piece was particularly mysterious. It simply came out of my hands as a finished piece one afternoon in 1975. Will Ackerman, Guitar; Phil Aaberg, Keyboards; Eugene jFriesen, Cellos; String composition & arrangement by Phil Aaberg. 2. ZUZU’S PETALS (2007 ) The title is taken from It’s a Wonderful Life. The film is about the small things in life being the most important; including a few rose petals found in a watch pocket that binds us with love. Will Ackerman, Guitar 3. BELIEVING IN MIRACLES (2007) I’ve seen the impossible happen. It humbles me. Will Ackerman, Guitar & hopi drum; Steve Schuch, Violins; Noah Wilding, Vocals; T-Bone Wolk, Bass; Derrik Jordan, Percussion 4. VISITING (1982 ) Chuck Greenberg died on Santa Cruz Island 13 years ago and we lost someone who had more melody in him than anyone I’ve ever known. Jill Haley pays homage to his earlier version, but makes this piece beautifully her own. Will Ackerman, Guitar; Hill Haley, English horn; Steve Schuch, Violin; Michael Manring, Bass. 5. UP THERE THROUGHOUT THE SKIES (FOR CARMINE) (2005) Susan and I spend Septembers in the impossibly beautiful and romantic town of Positano, Italy where my friend Carmine lives. Every afternoon Carmine and I meet for a long Italian lunch down at Fornillo Beach and laugh. It doesn’t matter how many days we’re together or how many years we’ve been like this; we just laugh till it hurts. I wrote this piece as a gift for Camine’s 50th birthday a few years ago. The title came from him only recently. His father passed away on December 23rd of this year and in a letter to me he wrote of his father’s painful illness and how he hoped that his father could now be happy “up there throughout the skies.” Will Ackerman, Guitar, Samite, Vocals & kalimba; Noah Wilding, Vocals, T-Bone Wolk, Bass; Jeff Pearce, Chapman Stick& Electric guitar. 6. WAS IT THIS LIFETIME (2007) Was the boy who played in the bamboo behind the garage me? Was that me in the back seat as my father drove up the West River after Mary’s death? There’s a deep dream of a man who darkened all feeling. I have reasonable confidence it was me who met a man named George Winston after a concert I gave in Santa Monica. Is memory always this elusive? Suddenly it comes into focus about a decade ago when I met Susan and I learned about kindness and forgiveness. Will Ackerman, Guitar & hopi drum; Eugene Friesen, Cello; Jeff Oster, Flugel horn; T-Bone Wolk, Bass. 7. THE IMPENDING DEATH OF THE VIRGIN SPIRIT (1970) This piece was meant to capture my childhood innocence on the night before my mother committed suicide. It failed. The sadness of the following day inevitably became part of the piece. Will Ackerman, Guitar; Phil Aaberg, Keyboard & piano; Eugene Friesen, Cellos; Steve Schuch, Violin. String composition & arrangement by Phil Aaberg. 8. PICTURES (1998) Photos of a little girl’s birthday party. For a moment the family smiles together. Will Ackerman, Guitar 9. ON ONE KNEE (2006) Written with my friend Jeff Oster. As I wrote his name just now I couldn’t help but smile. Where I am private with my playing, Jeff will walk into a small Mexican village and start playing on a corner until he’s met everyone in town. There are people who remind you of other people. With Jeff there’s just one. Will Ackerman, Guitar, Jeff Oster, Flugel horn; Jeff Pearce, Chapman Stick & Electric guitar. 10. WHEN THE MOON SINGS (2007) In college I wrote a poem that included the line “when sang the moon in all her towers.” I have no idea what that means. I suspect it had something to do with too much Claret and endless nights on moonlit beaches. Will Ackerman, Parlour guitar; Steve Schuch, Violin 11. ANNE’S SONG (1977) My partner in Windham Hill without whom our wonderful musical experiment couldn’t have happened. Will Ackerman, Guitar 12. HAWK CIRCLE (1980) Twenty years of touring and performing with David Cullen has made our work together magical and joyous. This is a pure improvisation between great friends. Will Ackerman, Guitar; David Cullen, Guitar 13. WEST OF SHOSHONE (2008) Route 178 turns west out of Shoshone CA into the most beautiful desert drive I know. Will Ackerman, Electric Guitar; Jill Haley, English horn; Steve Schuch, Violin; T-Bone Wolk, Bass 14. PROCESSIONAL (1973) The actors in Romeo and Juliet entering the stage. Will Ackerman, Guitar