Impromptu: Solo Piano

• Track Listing

About the CD... Ten stories without words. That could sum up what you'll hear on Impromptu. Taken from recorded improvisation from the last several years as well as from new compositions created just for this project, Impromptu is a journey that won't leave you where you started. From joyful dances to ethereal soundscapes, from Chopinesque waltzes to percussive showers of sound, this is not your father's "New Age" CD. Equally influenced by Elton John, David Lanz and prog artist such as Kansas and Steve Morse, Impromptu sounds great whether you play it as background music or listen intently with headphones. From Neil's blog: "Impromptu is quite a departure from the music I usually write, as it's entirely made up of instrumental solo piano pieces. I felt strongly this was a good way for me to re-enter the world of recording, as it forced me to return to the basic elements of music: melody, harmony and rhythm. It can be so easy to hide behind complex arrangements and studio special effects. 88 keys and my ten fingers were all I could use to paint my ideas. I'm very proud of the results, and I think a lot of people are going to like this stuff (if I may say so myself...). "This project has been a catharsis for me, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity and the freedom to finally do this again!" About the Artist... Neil Patton is a pianist/keyboardist/songwriter who combines the artistry of classical and jazz music with the immediate gratification of rock. Influenced by such varying artists as Elton John, Keith Green, Alan Parsons, Peter Gabriel, Kansas. Steve Morse, the Dixie Dregs, Sarah McLachlan, Ellis Paul and 80's-era Genesis and Yes, Neil's sound is ever widening in it's scope. Though Neil began formal piano training at the tender age of five, his passion for the instrument erupted in Middle School when he discovered a songbook for his favorite band at the time. His teacher grabbed the opportunity and showed how the rock tunes used the same harmonic theory as Bach and Mozart. From then on, music became an obsession, leading to a music degree in college. Neil later figured out that while he loved music, he hated suitcases, so a career on the road as a "rock star" was out of the question. After becoming the worship arts pastor at his church, Neil began teaching piano privately. However, he has never stopped writing. Releasing a solo CD of original songs in 1998 (Horizon) only whetted his appetite. After taking some time off to start a family, Neil has returned to the studio. Producing CD's for other local artists has laid the groundwork for Impromptu. More original projects are in the works already covering various styles that could reach a very wide audience.