Jim Brickman - Windham Hill Artist
“Time Out New York,” said that Jim Brickman’s music made Yanni sound like heavy metal rock. More specifically, like Ted Nugent. Now, I have no idea what Ted Nugent sounds like, but I have seen the album covers and I don’t think he does neoclassical like Yanni. And I can’t imagine anyone being much more artistic. But as I mentioned yesterday in my posting about William Ackerman, Windham Hill (developed by Ackerman) has brought us some of today’s best artists. Jim Brickman is a great example of that.
Brickman is a true genre crosser - he has been recognized by new age, contemporary christian, contemporary adult, and country - and is equally respected in all of those genres. Brickman is known for his passion in his music and expressing that in a way that listeners respond to with complete devotion. The passion in Brickman’s work is what he, and his fans, consider to be a gift. He didn’t “learn” to play the piano but says he has always had tunes running through his mind; these tunes found their way to a piano and in lyrics that seemed to just happen without his planning.
Brickman grew up in an essentially non-musical family which is one reason he believes that music is his calling. He began composing because it was just what he felt he had to do. “So when you start to compose — first of all, it’s not a choice, it’s not a decision — what happens is you sit there and play other people’s stuff and you start going, ‘I wonder what would happen if I played this instead of that or this chord. I wonder why they didn’t go to that note.’ It’s inherent. It’s the same as writing. It’s very similar to what you do. You learn from reading, and you learn from imitating, and you learn stylistically how to form certain structures of the way things should be. And all of a sudden your voice takes shape.” *
And take shape it has. Jim Brickman has recently signed a contract with Walt Disney Records, recording some of the most loved music ever presented on film. Examples include, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” and “Baby Mine.”
In addition to his music, Brickman has hosted a syndicated radio show and authored two books. He seems to find success in any endeavor; perhaps that is another part of his gift.
It is rare to find a vocal artist that is accepted in the neoclassical music community. Traditionally, neoclassical music is instrumental but Jim Brickman is an exception to that rule as he crosses the genres and attracts fans of all genres. His gift has become a gift to us as he continues to record and produce albums of top quality.
Jim Brickman Official Web Site
Jim Brickman Tour 2006 Schedule
*Interview with The Celebrity Cafe
