NEW YORK, NY (Motema Music) -
Lithe and graceful, the elegant pianist closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and whispers her story straight into our hearts while never uttering a word.
Such is the mystery and mastery of Lynne Arriale, a "bejazzling" pianist who's stealing hearts with a CD/DVD set that's catching fire internationally. Available internationally at retail outlets and at https://www.motema.com.
"There is nothing more important to me than connecting with our audiences," says the striking red-head with sky blue eyes. "When we play live, there's an added sense of excitement, which is intensified by the audience response."
This excitement is caught from five angles on her new CD/DVD set, "Lynne Arriale Trio: Live" shot at Burghausen Jazz Week 2005 and released the Motema and In+Out Imprints. Bonus features on the 5.1 surround-sound DVD include the award-winning documentary "Lynne Arriale, Profile of a Performing Artist," (aired on PBS stations) plus exclusive interview footage.
Arriale's music has the rare quality of attracting both seasoned jazz lovers and those who may not think they like jazz.
"I grew up loving the great melodies of artists like the Beatle's and Joni Mitchell," says Arriale, whose trio performs on the world's most prestigious stages and is slated to open Kennedy Center's "Women in Jazz" Festival in May, 2007.
Originally a classical pianist, Arriale switched to jazz in her twenties when she fell in love with improvisation.
"In jazz we can reinvent our melodies every night, on the spot," she says. "So it always stays fresh."
Her trio - Steve Davis on drums and Jay Anderson on bass - has gained international recognition for their fresh approach and near "telepathic" communication.
Arriale's love of folk, pop and classical music shows up in her singular arrangements of classics such as the Beatle's "Come Together" and "Blackbird" and the foot-stomping bayou favorite "Iko, Iko."
She is also known and loved for her own memorable melodies, four of which are featured on the new DVD: The fiery "Braziliana," the exotic "Flamenco" and the ballads "Home" and "Arise."
The heart-rending "Arise," penned in tribute to heroes lost in the terrorist attacks of September 11, was the most requested song in U.S. jazz radio when first released.
The New York Times counts Arriale "among the top pianists of the day," and the London Times says, "Arriale is putting the heart back into jazz." That heart is now on sale at retail outlets in the U.S. and Europe and at https://www.motema.com.
