CDs & Downloads

Music for the discerning listener in a stressful world

I agree with those who feel music is the universal language. I’ve seen music – both mine and others – work magic on the ill, the old, the heartsick and the anxious. It continues to be incredibly powerful when it’s heard at the right place, at the right time. Music is the closest art to being intangible, and in that, it responds more powerfully to positive intent as it’s being created. It’s a vibration, after all, right? Pretty delicate. Yet think of the emotions it can hit in you, how it can change/fix your feelings on a thing. Any form of art powerful enough to catch one’s breath and bring a tear deserves consideration as a serious form of communication.

I’ve had friends who, from time to time – now this is sort of in jest, okay? – say to me, “Have you ever thought about therapy??” I always tell them I have the best therapist on the planet, my piano. After all, I’m a piano player. When the angst or a sadness creeps in occasionally, I can always go over to my baby grand and play for a half hour, whatever comes to mind. Maybe just noodling. But before I know it, my emotions are running out my fingertips and I get up from the piano feeling purged and cleansed. It is always amazing to me.

The inherent therapeutic value in music is what initially motivated me to record my own albums and release them. Another motivation for me was my ego… it’s very exciting and satisfying to have one’s music out there in the world. I got an email several years back from a grandmother in Australia, who thanked me for the meditation album someone had given her. She told me it was the one thing that was sure to put her grandchildren to sleep each night, and it had relieved a huge burden from her. Tell me that wasn’t a thrill to read… doesn’t take many of those to convince one that their music is important in the world.

If you’re wondering how a person can compose/play/record jazz and meditation music both… simple. They’re both forms of spontaneous communication, derived from the inspiration received by what’s going on at the spur of the moment. I feel the best music is always emotion-driven. That’s why a popular theory with song writers is that they always write their best stuff when they’re down, sad, just broken up with their honey, or broke. And there’s truth to it, believe me. For my part, I’m more inspired by happiness, contentment, beauty and love… just my nature, I guess.

I have seven CDs and downloads on the Indie Music Site,  CDBaby, and they are also availalbe in digital download form on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon and over twenty other download sites. Just a simple Steve Hulse on the ‘search’ usually finds me. Hmmmm, perhaps I should try that next time I’m lost. Easiest way to buy my albums, if you’re interested, is to click on the CD covers below.