Music and Media Focus

CD: Various titles
Artist: Danny Wright
Contact: www.dannywright.com

For many people around the world, the holiday season is a time of great joy and celebration. This is especially true for well-known pianist Danny Wright who has some very special gifts in his stocking this year, and much to celebrate. For one, 2012 marks his 25 year anniversary as a composer and recording artist. In that quarter of a century, he has released an impressive 36 recordings and has sold over 6 million albums worldwide! He is an award-winning Steinway Piano Artist who was twice named by Billboard Magazine as a Top 10 artist in the New Age genre. Trained as a classical pianist, Danny composes and performs uplifting original compositions that are blended with various influences including new age piano, contemporary jazz, classical and neoclassical. One might say his original compositions are similar in style to David Lanz and George Winston, while subtly drawing inspiration from classical composers such as Beethoven, Pachelbel and Debussy, and by such Broadway greats as Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

While a career milestone such as this is certainly something to celebrate, there is something else that fills him with even greater joy and gratitude this season. After trying for ten long years, Danny was finally able to acquire the rights to his back catalog of best-selling albums from Moulin D’Or and plans to make the recordings available in both physical and digital formats, re-mastered and re-packaged with retrospective liner notes and carefully-selected bonus tracks. Quite a few of these new albums will be released before the end of 2012, with the rest coming in 2013 – a very exciting time for one of the most popular contemporary pianists in the world and his many, many fans! According to Danny: “For years, people have asked where they can get a new copy of this cassette tape or that CD they’d lost or, literally, worn out! I’m so pleased to now be able to say here it is on CD, on iTunes or anywhere else you’d like it.  And I’m immensely grateful to the people who helped to make this dream finally come true.” As part of this cornucopia of music, Danny has created a special digital compilation called Home For Christmas, which can be found at this link. What follows is a collection of Danny’s newly re-released holiday albums that have touched the hearts of so many over the years.

Remembering Christmas
This was the first holiday album Danny released and remains a personal favorite of his. It is a perfect accompaniment to the season because of the simplicity of the arrangements and the beautiful melodies of some of his favorite Christmas songs. A particularly special song for him is “I Wonder As I Wander.” Danny recorded it after he heard Barbra Streisand’s arrangement on her Christmas album. In his words: “When I first heard the song it was so beautiful and it pulled at my heartstrings.” Danny hopes that his unique arrangements of these holiday classics bring the same joy and warmth for his fans.

Just Wright for Christmas
Originally released in 1992, this album has always been a perennial favorite of Danny Wright fans. Danny shares the inspiration behind the album’s songs including his original piece “Innocence.” His personal favorite is “Silver Bells,” which he played for his mother at the last concert she attended before passing away. Many of the Latin titles featured on the album bring fond memories of his years traveling and performing as a 1st soprano in the Texas Boys’ Choir. As a special tribute, Danny has added “My Son’s Lullaby” from his album, An Intimate Christmas, sharing: “I wrote this piece for my own children, reminiscing about that special time in childhood when our thoughts and dreams are full of magical Christmas things. Regardless of your faith, may you always be reminded of this joyous time for remembering friends, family and loved ones.”

Merry Christmas
This album combines Danny’s powerful passion on the piano with the harmonious voices of the Texas Boys Choir and the robust sound of the Dallas Brass. Though it has been years since this album was first recorded and released, it still holds a very dear spot in Danny’s heart. “Song of Joy” is a unique piece that contains both piano and Synclavier (an electronic keyboard), and is new to this edition of Merry Christmas. Danny included it because, as he says, “I think it is the perfect fit for the feel of the Christmas season and it rounds out the album nicely.”

Christmas by Candlelight 

Here we have a new edition with bonus track and updated liner notes! There is nothing more lovely and peaceful than candlelight, and what better way to escape the holiday hustle and bustle. Over the years this album has done extremely well within the gift shop realm, perhaps for its appeal as a holiday hostess gift or tasteful stocking stuffer. Christmas by Candlelight is a solo piano Christmas retrospective created to set the mood for quiet and intimate gatherings. It includes some all time favorite classics such as “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Count Your Blessings,” “White Christmas,” “Infant Holy,” and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. To add a special touch to this new edition Danny has added the original composition “Peace Within.” It perfectly complements this album with its celebration of the peace and love during the holiday season.