James Armstrong

James Armstrong has explored concurrent paths in improvisation and modern classical music since his 1979 graduation from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Past projects include trios, quartets, and inventions for small ensembles -- volatile, labor-intensive music with a marked pantonal focus. Now working on original repertoire for solo performance.

“...He has a firm grasp of the sheer power of Monk, often slamming the keys to create a shattering dissonance...he understands the rhythmic complexities of Cecil Taylor and the intellectualism of Andrew Hill. He has used these strong influences to create a personal style, always saving room for the purity of his own fingers on the keys. It is through his touch, his feel for the instrument that he achieves his individual power...” [ Stefan Zeniuk, Jazz Now Interactive, July 2002 ].

Update, January 11, 2009: Belated Happy New Year to all of my AAJ subscribers. Thank you for your continued support, with nearly 1,500 downloads. I can't believe my eyes.

I've just retained Cookie Marenco's OTR Studios for a solo piano recording session, which will take place on the afternoon of March 14, 2009. Last summer's extended, near- liturgical concert program is back online, and there are new pieces as well, including Portrait of Yoko. The music is of episodic structure, and continues to reflect its modern classical influences, with some jazz leanings. The studio's 1885 Steinway has been beautifully maintained and voiced; it's a wonderful environment.

Wishing you all continued health and inspiration.

Update, March 14, 2009: Today's solo piano session at OTR Studios went beautifully! Commercial release of the performance is pending. Please stay tuned.

Update, March 16, 2009: Three tracks from the new session have been uploaded to MySpace.

Update, March 24, 2009: Rhapsody and Dedication will be available for purchase through JamesArmstrongMusic.com, which is currently under construction. More updates to follow.

Update, March 31, 2009: JamesArmstrongMusic.com is online. Pre-release advance downloads are now available for purchase in CD quality WAV format.

Update, April 11, 2009: Preparations for solo recording session #2 are underway.

Update, May 29, 2009: CD production is in progress; release date to be announced. Sheet music will be released under new, BMI-affiliated publishing company.

Update, August 27, 2009: Ongoing rehearsals for solo session at OTR Studios, Belmont on October 24, 2009. Program includes new composition, Through the Eyes of a Child.

Update, September 20, 2009: Thanks to AAJ subscribers -- 1,914 downloads of Beijing Girl as of today. Rehearsals for upcoming session continue.

Update, October 6, 2009: Rhapsody and Dedication, the new CD, will be available for purchase through my website. Please stay tuned for updates.

Update, October 10, 2009: The CD inventory is here! Upgrades to the website are complete. CDs are available for purchase through the website -- $15 plus shipping, by PayPal.

Update, October 25, 2009: A very productive session at OTR Studios yesterday. Release TBA.

Update, November 17, 2009: Welcome new distributor CD Baby in Portland, Oregon. U.S. East Coast radio broadcasts of Rhapsody and Dedication pending.

Update, November 19, 2009: Rhapsody CDs are now available through CD Baby http://cdbaby.com/cd/JamesArmstrong. Amazon.com distribution begins in approximately 4-6 weeks.

Update, December 11, 2009: Through the Eyes of a Child, the new solo session, is in post-production. Release of downloads and CDs TBA. Merry Christmas !

Update, January 6, 2010: Happy New Year ! Rhapsody is now available through Amazon. Preparations for the next solo recording session are underway. And as of today, there's been 2,023 downloads of Beijing Girl through the All About Jazz website.

Update, January 22, 2010: Rhapsody CDs are now available in Japan; Amazon.co.jp. Naruhodo!

Update, February 10, 2010: U.S. jazz radio broadcasters, I'd like to hear from you! More new music coming soon.

Update, March 23, 2010: Rhapsody CDs now available through Amazon.co.uk

Update, April 21, 2010: 96 khz downloads coming soon!

Update, April 24, 2010: 2,101 downloads of the track Beijing Girl through AAJ as of today. EU distribution continues; Rhapsody now available through http://www.inandout.at/ (Austria).

Update, May 16, 2010: 2,112 downloads of Beijing Girl as of today. Welcome new online store iMusic (Denmark): http://www.da.imusic.dk/cd/0884501207768/james-armstrong- 2009-rhapsody-dedication-cd .

Update, June 1, 2010: Thanks to AAJ subscribers; 2,120 downloads of Beijing Girl as of today. Rehearsals are ongoing, despite sporadic performances in this region.

Update, June 14, 2010: Through The Eyes of a Child debuts today, as 44.1 and 96 kHz audiophile- grade downloads ! Just click on the album image (above). CD release to be announced. Thank you all for your continued support.

Update, June 19, 2010: Audiophile-grade 96 kHz downloads of Rhapsody and Dedication are now available: http://www.jamesarmstrong.downloadsnow.net

Update, July 3, 2010: Preparing for recordings with Cookie Marenco at OTR Studios; session dates TBA.

Update, July 16, 2010: The new discs are now available through the main website -- $15 + shipping, secure transaction via PayPal. And just released: 44.1 and 96kHz high-resolution downloads of all session tracks.

Update, July 29, 2010: Watch for the latest discs on CDBaby and its affiliate stores. SFJazz: call me, and I'll play Davies Symphony Hall, with two days notice.

Update, August 3, 2010: Reviews of current CDs pending; publication date TBA.

Update, November 8, 2010: In rehearsal for Robert Houtman's benefit performance this week. Thank you all for your support.

Update, November 15, 2010: YouTube tapes uploaded -- 'Robert's Return' -- with the RWH Jazz Triad: Robert Houtman (drums), Carl Herder (bass), David Copeland (guitar), James Armstrong (piano).

Update, December 7, 2010: to my listeners, thank you for your purchases through CDBaby and the main website. Merry Christmas !

Update, December 24, 2010: keep up the downloads, friends; thanks to you, this profile is #196 on this AAJ list http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician_hitcount_all.php . And a special thanks to the US radio stations that had the political will to broadcast this music over the past year, without remuneration.

Update, January 28, 2011: #189 on the AAJ list today -- http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician_hitcount_all.php

Update, February 13, 2011: 'Beijing Girl', the download through the All About Jazz website, is a large file (9.84 MB). Thanks for supporting independent classical music.

Update, March 2, 2011: I'm preparing for the first of two new solo sessions at Cookie Marenco's OTR Studios in May; a continuing cycle of music for solo piano, in episodic structure.

Update, March 13, 2011: where are the benefit performances for Japan earthquake / tsunami relief in the San Francisco Bay Area ?

Update, March 14, 2011: Bay Area jazz venues, I'm going to say this again: PLEASE SUPPORT JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI RELIEF.

Update, March 19, 2011: An open message to the Bay Area jazz triumvirate -- KCSM-FM / SFJazz / San Jose Jazz:

Your unconscionable inattention to the ongoing crises in Japan has not gone unnoticed. I urge you to stop the jazz careerism and direct your efforts to large-scale benefit performances to support the victims of this disaster. Follow the example of the New York musicians, including John Zorn, which are already light-years ahead of you, politically.

I speak to you as a U.S. composer, and challenge you to respond to this post.

Update, April 21, 2011: the most recent solo recordings will be available on iTunes soon. Preparations for the May session continue.

Update, May 4, 2011: Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Most recent sessions are now on iTunes and AmazonMp3. In rehearsals for new recording at OTR Studios.

Update, May 7, 2011: OTR session 3 completed today ! Release pending.

Update, May 30, 2011: I'm seeing more Facebook 'likes' on this page; thank you. Who are you folks ? Please get in touch through my website, and consider purchasing a recording / download. This music exists outside of major festivals and most venues here.

Update, June 10, 2011: site upgrades complete; watch for latest solo piano recording.

Update, June 19, 2011: 'Variations on Italian Pastoral Themes' is now available through the main website, in 44.1 and 96 kHz download formats.

Update, July 17, 2011: many thanks to all new site visitors; threshold operations continue. Stay tuned for the next solo session !

Update, October 10, 2011: Happy Columbus Day to all -- many thanks for your download purchases. 'Variations' is getting out there !

Update, October 16, 2011: Wanted: highly motivated adult piano students ! Work on your goals: theory, analysis, transcription, solo and/or group performance. South Bay only; I travel to you. Please write for information -- http://www.jamesarmstrongmusic.com

Update, November 16, 2011: the free download available through AAJ is currently offline due to server issues; not sure when it will be back up. Please visit my main website for more recent streaming tracks. Work towards the 2012 session continues. Happy Holidays !

Beijing Girl from Out of the Underground session © 2004 by James David Armstrong, Jr. (BMI). All rights reserved. James Edmiston, bass; Andrew Wilshusen, drums.

Zhong Wen and Portrait of Yoko from Rhapsody and Dedication session © 2009 by James David Armstrong, Jr. (BMI). All rights reserved.

Digital images / album covers Medusa #1 and Anniversary by Hiroko Sakai, used with permission. http://www.hirokosakaifineart.com/

Press Quotes:

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Blog post by my percussionist colleague, Andrew Wilshusen:

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”...oudev oida said...wow! really beautiful stuff, pushing the possibilities of an instrument that's been around for a few hundred years. attaching that third arm has really worked out! - >for anybody else, the myspace address is: http://www.myspace.com/jamesarmstrongtrio March 15, 2009 8:08 PM...”