'Short Stories' Out Now

David Lopato

Short Stories

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SHORT STORIES, the new recording by award-winning NY-based composer-pianist David Lopato is an eclectic assemblage of eight original compositions and one cover (Prince of Darkness by Wayne Shorter). The music spans 4 decades of writing and, like all of Lopato’s previous recordings, a wide range of musical genres and styles. It features a core quintet of incredible musicians with whom Lopato has worked for many years: Ed Neumeister on trombone, Lucas Pino on saxes and clarinets, Ratzo Harris on string bass and Michael Sarin on drum. The group is augmented by three of New York’s top percussionists: Rogerio Boccato, Keita Ogawa and Bobby Sanabria, and by newcomer Anson Jones on vocals.

“I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. The compositions and arrangements are creative and grooving…..I haven’t enjoyed a jazz record more than this one in recent memory. Congrats on a first-rate project.”
-Fred Hersch
“all of the musicians are world class, but it is the leader’s frameworks and arrangements that really make Short Stories special. This consistently stimulating set is highly recommended.”                       
-Scott Yanow

Bio

DAVID LOPATO’s music reflects an involvement with such diverse forms as modern jazz, stride piano, avant-garde classical music, blues, latin and various world musics, most notably those of Indonesia, where he has lived and studied Javanese gamelan. His love of these seemingly disparate traditions has resulted in a body of music that is both universal and personal. Although his main instrument is piano, his interest in other, more exotic timbres has led him to explore new techniques for “preparing” the piano, as well as incorporate other percussion instruments and electronics into his work. He has worked extensively with computers, MIDI, and related digital media to facilitate the creation and realization of his own music and that of other musicians.

Full Bio

Press

"an inventive and resourceful pianist...his compositions never faltering for a second”
The New York Times
“Lopato’s technique is enviable, and his playing communicates a real sense of joy. Highly recommended.”
Keyboard Magazine
“Mr. Lopato’s jazz playing displayed an omnivorous eclecticism built on an understanding of a very broad range of jazz and classical styles...his playing and his varied compositions displayed considerable grace and charm.”
The New York Times
“Lopato ’s stylistic range and technique are prodigious”
Downbeat Magazine
“Many Moons is an amazingly varied retrospective of sorts of David Lopato’s compositions of the past three decades. The album is so eclectic that it also provides an overview of many of the facets of solo jazz piano. From stride to blues, bebop, bluegrass, avant-garde improvisation, prepared piano, and ballads, the common thread that connects the music is a love of textural and harmonic richness and a very personal approach to the creation of improvised music. ...An extraordinary album.”
Mainly Piano.com
"Lopato's compositions and performances display an inner logic, whether conjuring Willie "The Lion" Smith or James P. Johnson on the fascinativng "The Big Bad Wolf Ain't So Bad After All," or swimming in the murky and perilous waters of artists like John Cage and Conlon Nancarrow ("Piano Roll"). ...Lopato's music exudes an inextinguishable spirit of optimism and hope"
All About Jazz
“His extraordinarily imaginative and tonally sensitive solo forays indicate a talent of uncommon depth.”
The New Haven Register
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"...very powerful, compelling, warm and descriptive music that is also very easy to listen to"

– Joe Ross, Roots Music Report

★★★★★ 5/5

GoFund Me Campaign

Dear Friends/Music Lovers,

I’m mid-process of a new recording project entitled “Short Stories” (2 recordings, the first to be released this June and the second early next Spring). I invite you to participate in it if you are so inclined. Here is a link to my GoFundMe page which I’d very much appreciate your checking out. It contains a short, 6 minute video about the project along with a detailed written description of it, including various rewards/incentives for contributing to it.

Thanks for your support of the music!

Support Short Stories

Releases as leader

Gendhing For a Spirit Rising

David Lopato and Global Coolant:
Ladrang,, This Life, Jalan Jiwa, Gendhing, Beboppin’ With Bella, Jakshi, Suite 911 (Part I and II), Suite 911 (Part III Peace March)

Giant Mbira

David Lopato – solo piano

Magdalena, Fast, One for Olivier for Muhal, Dear Sphere, Blues for Bley, Gazing at Miss V, Giant Mbira

Many Moons

David Lopato – solo piano

Swing Trades, Inside You, Fly Brook, Unrequited Love, No Visa, Reflexology, Brooklyn, The Big Bad Wolf Ain’t So Bad After All, Wishing Willie Well, African Village, Piano Roll I, Peace March

The Standard Line

David Lopato – piano
David Mott – Baritone sax

Body and Soul, Unrequited Love, Wind Bells, Earth, Once So Blue…, Texas Little, No Visa, Stop Boogie! Stop Shuffle!, Nostalgia, Are Your Heads Aligned?

Inside / Outside

David Lopato – piano
Mark Helias – bass
Gerry Hemingway – drums

Magdalena, Out of Somewhere, This Life, Gonbosco, Y.B.F.S., Reflexology
 

Instructor and Educator

Study With David

Teaching is a central part of David Lopato’s career as a musician. He has taught on the faculty of the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music for the last 32 years, having taught 14 different classes there including all levels of theory, all levels of ear training, composition, performance, MIDI sequencing, film scoring, and “Sound and Vision” (a collaborative class with Parsons School of Design).   He has also served on the executive committee of that program for the last 8 years.Additionally he he was on the faculty of Montclair State University for  7 years, where he taught lecture classes on world music and jazz history.

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Beatrice
Evans

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