Album Notes

TO PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL SONGS ONLINE, please go to: www.mp3tunes.com/dougstrock or www.itunes.com. ____ FRESH NEW versions of the most unforgettable songs by Rogers and Hart, Gershwin, Keith Jarrett, Duke Ellington, Billy Preston and Thad Jones. And goosebump-producing originals. "There's a guy who can make a solitude moment an unforgettable experience, generate passion during a romantic dinner for two, and intrigue listeners with his sophisicated showmanship, this artist is Doug Strock and his latest cd is entitled Piano Dreams. Strock's playing is very subtle, gentle, precise, and utopian. What really helps Strock is the fact that he's capable of supplying a fresh new breath to songs that have been recorded and played by almost everyone. Take for instance, Strock's personal rendition of the Gershwins' "Summertime" and "How Long Has This Been Going On". It makes you re-appreciate the talent and craftmanship of the Gershwin compositions..." ...And three originals will keep the listener coming back to experience Piano Dreams, due to Strock's uncanny way with harmony and unexpected pauses." eomentertainment.com ------ Doug Strock was raised in Boston where his classical study of piano began. He stopped playing after several years, however, feeling too constrained by the precision required. During a three year hiatus, Strock learned about the chord system with its liberating aspects and he began studying jazz harmony with local teachers. This foundation led to acceptance as a private student of John Mehegan, the first teacher of improvisation at Juilliard. Promisingly, during this period, Strock received encouragement from Leonard Bernstein. Strock's non-music life involved advanced study of Russian at Columbia and Yale. His language ability led to a position with the US-USSR Trade and Economic Council where he was a liaison for Fortune 200 CEO's and corresponding Russian ministers. Following this period, realizing the personal importance of his music, Strock devoted himself, full-time, to piano. His new existence involved separation from friends and a hardship-cleansing which stimulated the birth of a special piano sound. The Strock sound crosses over from "free jazz" to "mood music". Strock's regular high rankings on internet music sites, next to pioneers like Coltrane and Sun Ra in "free jazz"--- and Chris Botti, Sinatra and Diana Krall in "mood music", are indicative of his special musical presence.