“I Used To Be Anonymous”
Steve Elmer, Piano/Composer, Hide Tanaka, Bass, Shingo Okudaira, Drums
anon•y•mous
1 : not named or identified
2 : of unknown authorship or origin
3 : lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability
St [+]“I Used To Be Anonymous”
Steve Elmer, Piano/Composer, Hide Tanaka, Bass, Shingo Okudaira, Drums
anon•y•mous
1 : not named or identified
2 : of unknown authorship or origin
3 : lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability
Steve Elmer, Piano/Composer
The title for this CD came about as follows. A well-known jazz piano player liked the way I played but couldn’t understand why nobody knew who I was. He shared this thought with a mutual friend and said to her: “Steve Elmer is the most anonymous piano player in New York.” Well, I used to be anonymous.
I started off as a drummer. I also taught music. That was a long time ago. Then I did many other things that had nothing to do with music. Now I devote as much time as I can to playing the piano, composing, and making music that satisfies my soul.
Hide Tanaka, Bass
I’ve been playing with Hide for many years. We have played all kinds of gigs together: duo, trio, quartet, sextet, big band, and with many singers. He has a beautiful sound and his time feeling is as solid as bronze. Hide is always willing to play, whatever the circumstances. He never holds back. He shares whatever he has to give. I am fortunate to know him and to play with him. (Hide's name is pronounced "hee-day".)
Shingo Okudaira, Drums
I played with Shingo for the first time in 2005. After the first tune I knew he was a great drummer. He swings all the time, no matter what the tempo, including ballads. Sticks, brushes, mallets: it doesn’t matter. His drums sound beautiful and his cymbals sing. His solos are imaginative and complex. Shingo is a complete musician. He proved this by playing a Wynton Kelly solo for me (yes, he played it on the piano) note for note the way Wynton played it, swinging just as hard and with as much enthusiasm. What a gift.
My Compositions
I like to write tunes dedicated to people who have inspired me or had an impact on my life. “Peter the Painter” is written for Peter Salvatore, a guy who paints houses and apartments for a living. He does great work, is an honest person, and is someone who understands quality. “Dance of the Drackots” is for Bud Powell and my wife, Olivia Stockard. A “Drackots” is a feisty mythical creature who is independent and det
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Genre/Tags: 
Ringtones
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